Most people don't think of planting new gardens and landscaping plants in the fall. Most people think it's time to stop working on their gardens until Spring. Even though it might not seem like it, it is a very good idea to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and cool-weather grasses like Fescue in the fall.
Roots of plants and trees that have just been planted can continue to grow and take hold even when the temperature is only 40 degrees. Since the roots don't have to give the rest of the plant energy to grow, more of the plant's energy goes into making roots. When spring comes, plants with strong roots grow quickly because they have a lot of energy for their top growth.
Soil Temperature
When you plant in the fall, the soil is still warm from the summer. The warmer temperature of the soil helps the roots grow.
In the spring, the soil is still cool from the winter, so it takes a long time for roots to grow. Even if you start plants from seeds inside and move them outside when the weather warms up, the new sprouts won't have the same benefits as plants that were planted in the fall.
When Does Fall Start?
Late in September, the equinox marks the beginning of Fall. But the fall weather in different parts of the country is very different. In general, the best time to plant in the fall in your area is about six weeks before the first hard frost. you can get an idea of when the first frost usually happens in your area. Just remember that the roots need time to get established before Winter comes.
Autumn Bloomers
Fall isn't just a time to put the garden to bed and start getting ready for Spring. The growing season is almost over, but not quite. You can add color and new life to your garden by replacing the annuals and perennials that died over the summer with plants that bloom in the fall, such as Pansies, Chrysanthemums, Ornamental Cabbage and Kale, Marigolds, and others. It's also time to plant spring-flowering bulbs and divide perennials.
