The Advantages of Fall Planting

Most of us think of spring as prime planting time – the days are longer, the sun is brighter and the garden beckons! I always look forward to digging in the dirt those first warm days, but my “to do” list in spring can sometimes be overwhelming. By tackling some of my garden chores in the fall, I’ll have far less to do and more time to enjoy myself in May!

Benefit from the Season

The pleasant days of autumn are perfect for working outdoors as gardeners and plants alike no longer become stressed from the heat! As fall progresses, the days turn comfortably cooler and rainfall becomes more consistent. This means that newly planted perennials or shrubs have time to set down roots before severe cold sets in. It also means that you won’t be a slave to watering your new plants like you are in spring and summer. One good soaking upon planting in the fall should suffice as long as there’s some weekly rainfall predicted. By the time spring rolls around again, your plants will already be off to a good start and better able to withstand the hot and dry conditions that come with summer.

Spread The Love

If you have some perennials that are overcrowded and perhaps not producing as many flowers, then fall is a great time to dig them up, divide them and replant in new areas. Doing so not only encourages the plants to make healthy new growth for next year, it also provides a great way to expand your garden space without having to buy more plants. If you don’t have room to spread multiple plants around, give the divisions to a neighbor or family member who also loves to garden. They’ll enjoy your beautiful blooming gifts for years to come!

Execute A Garden Plan

Why not plan and plant a new perennial garden this fall? For the best results, make sure to plant in soil that’s been well amended with compost. Your plants will grow that much faster when spring arrives and require less coddling on your part when the weather turns hot.

Not sure about a design? It’s always fun to combine several plants that bloom at the same time. White Daffodils, Forget-Me-Nots and Old-Fashioned Bleeding Heart are charming together in early May while the romantic blooms of Peonies, Iris and Lady’s Mantle put on a glorious show in June. For a long-lasting summer garden you might try Russian Sage, Purple Coneflowers and Black-Eyed Susans. As the growing season slows, Sedums, Asters, Montauk Daisies and Perennial Grasses pick up the slack well into fall.

Add Bulbs to Your Garden

There is no sight more welcome in spring than those first blooming bulbs! If you want to add some early color to your garden and be delightfully surprised by their appearance at winter’s end, then bulbs are the way to go. Planted in the cool days of fall, bulbs quickly set down roots and then patiently wait for spring. The variety of shapes, sizes and colors available is seemingly endless and with a little creative planning, you can have non-stop blooms all season long. For more tips on planting bulbs, see my earlier post, The Wonderful World of Bulbs.

Get a Jump on Spring Planters

Do you love to place colorful planters around the house and garden? Many of us routinely do this in late spring or early summer, but why not start some planters now for early spring? Place early-emerging hardy perennials like Heuchera, Candytuft, Basket of Gold, Creeping Jenny, Violas or Solomon’s Seal in a generous planter and then tuck in some early bulbs for a stunning April through May show. I overwinter perennial planters in my unheated garage and move them outside again when signs of life appear in spring. After the early bulbs bloom and start to die back, the perennials quickly fill out and hide any fading foliage. Later, when the weather turns warm, I can add some colorful summer annuals to keep the show going.

Pot up Bulbs for Indoors

Whether planted individually or layered in pots, bulbs make wonderful indoor winter displays. The colors and sweet fragrance of potted bulbs placed around the house in dreary February will lift your spirits like nothing else! Fall is the perfect time to pot up bulbs since a cold period of 12 to 15 weeks is required to “force” these bulbs to bloom early. Once brought into the warmth of our homes, they’ll respond with quick growth and blooms!

For tips on how to pot up bulbs, check out this link: https://www.longfield-gardens.com/article/How-To-Grow-Spring-Bulbs-In-Containers.

By taking advantage of fine autumn weather and handling some projects now, you’ll be rewarded with early-blooming planters and perennials that are vigorous and eager to grow come spring!