Why Fall is the Best Time for Planting and Transplanting
While spring may seem like the ideal time to make big changes to your garden and outdoor landscaping, fall is typically considered the best season to plant and transplant in your garden.
Cooler temperatures and increased ground moisture make the autumn months ideal for digging up perennials that have died back and moving them to another location. Moving plants that are in bloom can be extremely damaging to the root system, as can hot weather. Planting and transplanting during the autumn allows plants the chance to better take root and become more established in your garden with plenty of time to spare when spring growing season comes into bloom.
If plants don’t have the necessary root structure to promote growth by their peak growth seasons in spring and early summer, the results will be much more limited than those planted the previous fall. Plus, planting just before the rainy season while the ground is still fairly moist means you won’t have to water as much when spring rolls around, as the plant’s roots will have plenty of extra moisture to soak up through its vast root system.
As far as what you should plant, that’s where personal preference comes in. While it’s true that some species perform better when planted at different times of the year, spring bulbs, pansies, turf grass, and cold-weather vegetables can all be newly planted in the fall and be ready in time for spring. Plant right as the season begins to transition and you might even see a bloom before the plant dies back with cooler weather.
Trees, shrubs, and hedges all tend to benefit from fall planting, as they require extensive root strength in order to truly flourish. Consider fruit trees for the summer or plant ornamental cherry trees to see a stunning effect in the late spring. Because trees and shrubs require deep soaking, it’s best to get started sooner rather than later to allow the roots to take hold in time for rainy weather.
Fall is also a great time to plant bare root stock. Bare root trees are dug and stored without soil around the root ball. Not all species can be purchased as bare root stock, but for those that can, this is often a more affordable option – and root trees can have up to 200% more roots than trees in burlap or containers.
Find out more about the benefits of an outdoor landscape overhaul by discussing your outdoor project ideas with an experienced landscape architect. Urban Oasis has dramatically improved the outdoor aura and functionality of dozens of northwest homes. Browse our previous projects to get a sense of our expertise and when you’re ready to take the next step, use the contact form or call 206-299-1566 to schedule your complimentary one-hour consultation.
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