Professional gardeners and landscapers know an important “trick of the
trade”: Fall isn’t the end of the growing season, it’s the beginning!
And here’s why you should be thinking about planting right now.

Coo-ool weather
If you were the proud parent of an infant who was just a few months
old, would you take her outside in her baby carriage under a blazing
sun? Or do you think she would be more comfortable enjoying the open
air on a cooler, less muggy day?

Think about your “plant babies” in the same way. In most parts of the
nation, planting in spring means the tender little guys are soon
exposed to the scorching heat of the sun and must endure it throughout
the summer during a crucial time in their development.

However, fall planting is far less stressful on your plants. Shrubs
and trees planted in the fall have the advantage of a cooler
environment above, and perhaps something even more beneficial, out of
sight below ground. Roots have the perfect opportunity to grow and
establish themselves without the need to concentrate on providing
nutrients as well.

In fact, the root systems of fall-planted plants can continue to grow
throughout autumn and into winter, usually becoming dormant only when
ground temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially,
planting in fall, instead of waiting until spring, gives your plants a
head start of several months. By next summer they will be sturdy,
resilient adolescents instead of vulnerable, tender babes, and far
better prepared to take on the rigors of a hot, and possibly dry,
summer.

Save water
Did I mention “dry”? Most trees and shrubs planted in spring require
regular watering during this vital “establishment” phase of their
development. Summer’s heat makes this even more critical.

But in the fall, you will not need to provide your new plants with
nearly as much water. As you might imagine, evaporation is much less
of a factor in the autumn, so water loss is greatly reduced.
Additionally, a plant’s water requirements are considerably diminished
when the natural process of photosynthesis slows down as the days
become shorter.

Another water-related benefit is that in the fall you are unlikely to
be faced with municipal watering restrictions that might affect your
new plantings during a long, hot summer. Nothing is more depressing to
a garden lover than to see new, young plants dying because of lack of
water.

Lower prices
We all like to grab a bargain and smart gardeners can take advantage
of sales and clearance-priced plants at this time of year. If you’re
buying from a reputable nursery, the plants now on sale have probably
been cared for throughout the summer by knowledgeable professionals
and should be ready for fall planting… but at a much lower price!

It’s worth asking an expert at the nursery, or at least carefully
reading the plant’s tag, to be sure of the best time to plant as this
can vary from zone to zone.

Because the Internet makes just about every kind of shopping easier,
don’t forget to do some research on your computer. Simply go to Google
and type in “online nursery” and you’ll find perennial shrubs and
trees ideal for fall planting at bargain prices.

Forget the fertilizer
Plant in the fall and forget the fertilizer until next spring. Why?
Fertilizing new plants at this time of year could force new growth
that would then fall victim to frost damage during the winter before
it has time to harden off. Buying and using fertilizer is a chore and
an expense you won’t need to worry about, at least until spring!

More fun, less stress
Many people tell Cheryl and me that they find fall planting more
enjoyable. The reason, they say, is that they can concentrate on the
planting in the slower-paced ambience of fall. With so much to do in a
spring landscape, it’s easy to be distracted from the joy of
planting.

It’s fair to say that some plants, including many groundcovers, may
prefer spring planting, so it’s advisable to ask at your nursery or
check the plant’s tag. But for the most part, planting now will give
your garden a powerful head start on spring. The Plant Man is here to
help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to
and for resources and additional information, or
to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org

On Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:51:09 -0700 (PDT), "
wrote:

Professional gardeners and landscapers know an important “trick of the
trade”: Fall isn’t the end of the growing season, it’s the beginning!
And here’s why you should be thinking about planting right now.

Coo-ool weather
If you were the proud parent of an infant who was just a few months
old, would you take her outside in her baby carriage under a blazing
sun? Or do you think she would be more comfortable enjoying the open
air on a cooler, less muggy day?

Think about your “plant babies” in the same way. In most parts of the
nation, planting in spring means the tender little guys are soon
exposed to the scorching heat of the sun and must endure it throughout
the summer during a crucial time in their development.

However, fall planting is far less stressful on your plants. Shrubs
and trees planted in the fall have the advantage of a cooler
environment above, and perhaps something even more beneficial, out of
sight below ground. Roots have the perfect opportunity to grow and
establish themselves without the need to concentrate on providing
nutrients as well.

In fact, the root systems of fall-planted plants can continue to grow
throughout autumn and into winter, usually becoming dormant only when
ground temperatures drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Essentially,
planting in fall, instead of waiting until spring, gives your plants a
head start of several months. By next summer they will be sturdy,
resilient adolescents instead of vulnerable, tender babes, and far
better prepared to take on the rigors of a hot, and possibly dry,
summer.

Save water
Did I mention “dry”? Most trees and shrubs planted in spring require
regular watering during this vital “establishment” phase of their
development. Summer’s heat makes this even more critical.

But in the fall, you will not need to provide your new plants with
nearly as much water. As you might imagine, evaporation is much less
of a factor in the autumn, so water loss is greatly reduced.
Additionally, a plant’s water requirements are considerably diminished
when the natural process of photosynthesis slows down as the days
become shorter.

Another water-related benefit is that in the fall you are unlikely to
be faced with municipal watering restrictions that might affect your
new plantings during a long, hot summer. Nothing is more depressing to
a garden lover than to see new, young plants dying because of lack of
water.

Lower prices
We all like to grab a bargain and smart gardeners can take advantage
of sales and clearance-priced plants at this time of year. If you’re
buying from a reputable nursery, the plants now on sale have probably
been cared for throughout the summer by knowledgeable professionals
and should be ready for fall planting… but at a much lower price!

It’s worth asking an expert at the nursery, or at least carefully
reading the plant’s tag, to be sure of the best time to plant as this
can vary from zone to zone.

Because the Internet makes just about every kind of shopping easier,
don’t forget to do some research on your computer. Simply go to Google
and type in “online nursery” and you’ll find perennial shrubs and
trees ideal for fall planting at bargain prices.

Forget the fertilizer
Plant in the fall and forget the fertilizer until next spring. Why?
Fertilizing new plants at this time of year could force new growth
that would then fall victim to frost damage during the winter before
it has time to harden off. Buying and using fertilizer is a chore and
an expense you won’t need to worry about, at least until spring!

More fun, less stress
Many people tell Cheryl and me that they find fall planting more
enjoyable. The reason, they say, is that they can concentrate on the
planting in the slower-paced ambience of fall. With so much to do in a
spring landscape, it’s easy to be distracted from the joy of
planting.

It’s fair to say that some plants, including many groundcovers, may
prefer spring planting, so it’s advisable to ask at your nursery or
check the plant’s tag. But for the most part, planting now will give
your garden a powerful head start on spring. The Plant Man is here to
help. Send your questions about trees, shrubs and landscaping to
and for resources and additional information, or
to subscribe to Steve’s free e-mailed newsletter, visit www.landsteward.org


I've been wanting to plant every year. Unfortunately, the local shops
don't sell cabbage, brocolli, and brussel sprouts at this (perfect)
time. I can't even find bean seeds! And every year it may not be
until November to have the first frost.