Garden Topics:
Start Planting this Fall!
Determine The Most Pressing Landscape Problem
and Start
Planting.
The longer we delay the more time it will take to achieve a
pleasing landscape. Looking at the picture above we can easily
imagine the lack of privacy that existed before the screening
plants were installed. In this case privacy was achieved along
with the gain of an attractive border.
 Maybe
you have a similar problem? Analyze it and take action. Here in
the Pittsburgh area, fall is the ideal time to plant all kinds
of things from lawns and perennials to evergreen and deciduous
trees and shrubs. Yet, strangely, when it comes to planting,
many homeowners think only of spring.
Why is fall
planting so good for plants? In the fall, the warm soil
encourages root growth. Roots continue to grow through the
winter until the ground freezes which may not be until early
January. In early spring, root growth begins again and develops
at a fast rate. The same plant planted in spring start slowly
due to cool soils, while the fall-planted plants, having become
well established, quickly put out vigorous new spring growth...
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.
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. In addition, many plants are on sale, which makes fall
planting a really good deal.
The only drawback to fall
planting is that early cold weather can harm newly planted
plants. To be safe, plant early, water well, and apply 3" of
mulch. Evergreens should be planted by mid-October. Deciduous
plants can be planted anytime the ground is workable.
Return to Top
|
