Why you should plant in the fall?

Many people are surprised when they hear fall is an ideal time to plant their landscaping. Despite the cold weather lurking around the corner, the first half of autumn provides ample opportunity for plants to grow roots and get off to a good start. Cooler temperatures, reliable rainfall, and short, bright days help plants make a quick and easy transition to your landscape. Below are some reasons why planting in the fall is so ideal.

Mild Days and Cool Nights

The arrival of fall comes with rapidly cooling temperatures as daytime high temperatures moderate more gradually. The shortening day length along with the fluctuation between warm days and cool nights signals plants to stop producing leaves and stems, and to increase root production. Fall planting is a sure way to promote strong, healthy root systems with less plant stress.

Warm Soil

Although the mild air temperatures of early autumn may quickly turn cool and crisp, soil in the garden and landscape remains warm for several more weeks. Even after the leaves change color and fall, roots of trees, shrubs, and perennials continue to grow and develop.

Better Chance of Rain

In addition to favorable air and soil temperatures, fall brings an increased chance of rain. Not only does this “free water” reduce the need to irrigate new plants, natural rainfall is healthier for the plants than irrigation water. Rain falls in a uniform pattern, saturating the entire landscape evenly. It is pH balanced for optimal plant health, without the dissolved minerals associated with well water or purifying agents from city water. And, rain washes the entire plant surface, boosting photosynthesis before falling to the ground and cleaning accumulated salts from the soil.

Lower Humidity

Humidity is a mixed blessing for new plants. High humidity may reduce water that is lost through transpiration, but it also increases the spread of fungal and bacterial plant diseases. The crisp weather that gardeners enjoy while working in the fall garden also helps to protect young garden plants from foliar disease as they become established in their new setting.

Fewer Pests

Most of the aphids, caterpillars, and beetles that feast on garden plants through spring and summer are nowhere to be found by fall. They have already completed the above-ground portion of their cycles and are safely tucked into their winter shelters until next year. With these bugs out of the picture, your new plantings focus less of their energy on defense, and more on producing roots and storing energy.

Less Weed Competition

Planting in fall means fewer weeds that will compete with new plantings for water and nutrients. By fall, weeds are completing their growth cycle for the year. Perennial weeds have nearly stopped growing, and only a few cool season weed seeds are germinating. Staying ahead of the competition in much easier this time of year than in spring. A layer of mulch applied after fall planting is adequate to eliminate nearly all weed growth until next year.

Stress Relief

Stress reduction is as beneficial for plants as it is for gardeners. By eliminating the numerous challenges associated with spring and summer gardening, such as insects, disease, weed competition, excessive heat, and drought, fall planting ensures a smoother transition for new plantings and an easier path to success for gardeners. Plants spend more energy on simply growing. Gardeners spend less time on after-planting chores like weeding, spraying, and watering. The result is a healthier garden and more time to simply enjoy it.

So when should I plant?

You can plant up to 6 weeks before your ground freezes. Once the ground is frozen, root growth will cease almost entirely until spring. The six week window gives the plant time to get established enough to withstand cold and snow. The date the ground freezes in your area will vary from year to year. In some areas the ground won’t freeze at all. A good rule of thumb though is that mid-November is a safe planting deadline for nearly everyone.