Fall planting in the perennial garden...

There’s a nip in the air and it’s time to start thinking about what you’ll plant before the end of the season. What? You only plant in the spring? Well have I got news for you—fall planting is a great opportunity to improve your garden.

Planting in fall gives the root systems, which are still very active, weeks to settle in before the soil temperature cools. Come spring, as soon as the soil warms, you’ve got a plant READY to go—even when the soil is too moist to begin planting. Another advantage is that roots on established, fall-planted specimens are more likely to deal successfully with a hot, dry summer than those freshly planted in spring.

Part of the reason fall planting works is that energy is transferred from the leaves, which are shutting down for the season, to the roots, which continue to grow and store food. The plants aren’t as prone to transplant shock because loss of water from transpiration decreases markedly as the leaves gasp their last.

It’s important that you not wait too long. Young roots encouraged by the planting will be more susceptible to damage from low soil temperatures, so enough time should be given so that the roots can mature. In most areas of the US, you can plant through October (being mindful, of course, of prolonged cold snaps).

The final reason for fall planting? All the end-of-the-season deals at your local garden centers! Overwintering potted plants is a lot of work and most garden centers and nurseries will have a bench-clearing sale in late summer. Great deals abound and even plants that are looking a bit tattered can come back strong in spring.

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