Fall is a Great Time for Planting
BY JUSTIN EVERTSON
Most people think of garden and landscape planting as primarily a spring activity, after the doldrums of winter have passed and we’re all anxious to be outside and do things in the garden. Spring is a great time for planting most things, but fall is a terrific time for planting and has several advantages over spring.
One of the most important advantages of fall planting is that most plants are dormant or are going dormant and will have much lower water requirements to survive over the coming months. But just because the tops are dormant doesn’t mean the root systems are dormant and most fall-planted trees, shrubs and perennials will be able to do some root establishment over the fall and winter, which allows for them to get off to a faster start and be less needy of water the following spring.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about fall planting:
Deciduous trees and shrubs do especially well with fall planting with the best time being October and November. However, the window can be extended into December if the ground is not frozen. Water new plants well at planting time and that is often enough until spring. However, if it’s a warm and dry winter, it would be wise to put some water on the new plants a time or two.
Evergreen trees and shrubs are better to be planted in late summer and early fall, from early September to mid-October so that they have a bit more of a window for root establishment before winter cold sets in. Be ready to do some occasional watering if the winter weather is abnormally dry.
Herbaceous perennials, including native grasses and flowers, can also be planted in late summer and with the best window from early September to mid-October. Generally speaking, the larger the plant and root system is at planting time, the more likely it is to survive the winter. Some very small perennials can dry out easily over winter if planted late.
The best two things about fall planting is that there’s less of a need for supplemental water to get plants established and fall planting can help free up time to do the other spring chores that pile up including cleanup, planting, watering, and weeding. Give fall planting a try!
Justin Evertson is the Green Infrastructure Coordinator for the Nebraska Forest Service & Nebraska Statewide Arboretum.