Tag: Fall

If you live in the Northern Hemisphere, Fall is coming upon us. ‘Tis the time for cozy sweaters, pumpkin everything, changing leaves and hot drinks! Farmers are bringing in their crops, vegetable gardens are being stripped. It is also an excellent time to plant or transplant in the garden.

Our plants have their own cycles. They are aware that winter approaches. They have noticed the shorter days, the cooler evening temperatures. In our hardy plants, they have done their work: they have grown, flowered, made seed or fruit. It is time to rest. Leaves start to change colour and will soon drop.

Soils, however, will stay warm for quite some time. Even after the first snowfall, soils will be warm. If you are familiar with the geothermal effect it is kind of related. The bulk of the Earth has absorbed the rays of the sun all summer. The Earth will hold that heat and release it slowly. Since your hardy plants don’t need to grow or flower, they have nothing to do but root.

It’s a fantastic time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. It’s also a good time to sod or seed a lawn, plant bulbs like garlic or tulips. If you have perennials in your garden that seem to be flagging it is a good time to divide them and replant. It’s a good time to move a tree or shrub, better even after a frost or two when we know that the plants are heading to dormancy. The biggest tip I can offer is that the soil level that exists on the plant should be the same on re-planting. Never bury the wood stems of trees and shrubs!

My other absolutely favourite thing about a Fall planting? Your local garden centers probably have some steep discounts on plant material. They would prefer not to go the the work of over-wintering the plants. Don’t look to the box stores: they probably closed their garden centers in June or July and have already moved in snow blowers! Support your local garden center which has undoubtedly been taking good care of their nursery stock all summer! And who doesn’t like a good sale on plants?