 Fall Planting
For many areas of the country, fall is the perfect time to plant ornamental grasses, perennials and bulbs. However, when it comes to planting, many homeowners think only of spring.
Fall weather varies from one part of the country to the next. Ideally, the best period for fall planting is approximately six weeks before the first hard frost. In general, the most suitable window of fall planting opportunity is from August through October. You'll want to check your zone to find out recommended planting times...
What is my Zone?
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But why is fall planting so good for plants? Well, in the fall, the warm soil encourages root growth (as shown in figure A). The roots will continue to grow through the winter until the ground freezes, or in areas with mild winters, roots may continue to grow. |
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Figure A |
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In early spring, roots begin new growth or continue to develop at a faster rate, and top growth begins. While the same plant planted in spring gets a slow start due to cool soils (as shown in figure B), the fall-planted plants are becoming well established. |
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Figure B |
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Hence, the spring-planted plant on the right lags behind (as shown in figure C). When summer finally arrives, the fall-planted plant is far better equipped to deal with heat and drought, largely due to its well-established root system. |
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Figure C |
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Of course, there are plenty of other good reasons to plant in the fall, too, such as dependable rainfall, cooler weather and fewer pest and disease problems. Overall, the headstart that fall planting provides can be seen in more vigorous and healthy plants come spring.
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