Here in the south, fall is a great time to landscape

We are all accustomed to planting in the spring. There are

many reasons for this, but is it really the best time for long

term plant survival? I guess that depends on a lot of things.

There is no easy answer.

Plant availability is better in the spring. Garden centers

know when they sell most of their plant material and that is in

the spring. That often means nurseries have healthier plants at

their disposal then.

However, stress on plants is much less in fall around here.

Plant growth slows down and goes dormant. Trees and shrubs

require less water when they enter dormancy. Watering becomes

less critical than it is in spring. In short, it’s easier to

take care of new landscaping.

Another reason to plant in the fall is below ground. Root

growth is much more vigorous in the fall. This only makes sense.

Soils are warm and they take longer to cool than air

temperatures because water has a high heat capacity.

Because of this, roots continue to grow well into the fall.

They put down a network for water absorption that will help with

the following summer’s heat stress. In our area, summer stresses

most plants more than winter does. Winter rarely damages

deciduous trees and shrubs at all unless soils are too wet.

One negative to planting in the fall is that the job

generally looks less spectacular. Usually, plantings aren’t as

colorful as most flowers are dying back. Incorporating fall

flowering plants like mums, pansies and ornamental kale can

spice things up.

Most perennials like Hosta, iris and daylily are best

divided and replanted in the fall. On balance, I think fall is a

great time to plant. It’s also cooler and easier for the person

doing the planting.