“Fall is for planting.” That statement has been quoted by more New England nurserymen and women than any other. There are valid reasons why we nursery people believe this is true. Yes, spring is marketed as the “planting season”. Flower and plant assortments are at their peak and warm, sunny days beckon us to enjoy the outdoors. But remember, the soil is still cold and that can be stressful to new transplants. Their roots have been warmed by air temperatures in pots or greenhouse benches. Heavy rains and melting snow can cause very soggy conditions which can further delay successful planting.

The period of time from September through mid-November in our area offers some advantages for planting trees and shrubs. Air temperatures begin to cool down and rainfall is more plentiful than in the heat of summer. With air temperatures cooler than the soil, new roots are encouraged while top growth is inhibited. Roots will continue to grow until soil temperatures drop below 40°F.

Mulch wisely

Mulching with bark chips will help allow soil to retain moisture but it’s a good idea to refrain from mulching high up onto the stems and trunks of trees and shrubs. Too much moisture around the base of a tree can cause rot or unhealthy root formation near the surface of the soil. Spread your mulch evenly, but thinly near the stems, and slightly thicker out to the edges of the root zone. Two to three inches of cover are adequate for mulch.

Flowers love fall

Wildflowers and grasses by nature plant themselves in the fall. The seeds will settle into the site and will be hydrated and ready to grow in the spring. Wildflowers planted in the fall will usually bloom earlier than those planted in the spring.

Fall is a great time to plant bulbs. Spring blooming bulbs are available now for fall planting. The packaging will tell you the variety, how tall it will be and approximate bloom time. Bulbs need cool soil to develop a strong root system. They are ready to bloom when the soil warms up and their biological clock is triggered.

It’s great for grass, too

What about lawns? Lawn seed blends for our area take anywhere from 10-21 days to “germinate”. That’s the time when the seed cracks open to send the root tip down into the soil, and a grass blade up to the sky. There’s plenty of time to do that in the fall. Daytime temperatures of between 60°F-75°F are ideal. Without excessive heat it’s easier to keep your new grass seed moist. An added benefit to the change of seasons is there’s much less competition for weeds.

With bare soil, it is important to prepare the seed bed, or apply a couple inches of topsoil where you intend to plant seed or sod.

Over-seeding is another way to revitalize an old lawn without all the prep work. Your grass seed will cover twice the area and you’ll be doing half the work! Only the “lucky” seeds that hit a nice damp bit of soil shaded by existing grass will grow, but the overall look will be dramatically improved by the next spring.

So the next time someone says, “Fall is for planting,” you can say “Yes, I knew that!”

~~~

Wayne Henson holds a degree in biology as well as certification through the Connecticut Nursery and Landscape Association. Holdridge Nursery is located at 749 Col. Ledyard Highway, Ledyard, CT. Hours are 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday. Call 860-464-8400 or visit www.holdridgegarden.com for more information.