September 1, 2024

Why Fall is for Planting

an enjoyable time to garden

Fall is for Planting

Autumn is a glorious time to garden. Sure, there are cheerful annual flowers we will soon miss. But, as the days shorten, the changing of lush green foliage to vibrant shades of spun gold, sun-kissed orange, deep scarlet, and rich burgundy reveals a great time to plant. After all, nature deliberately plants in fall, so why shouldn’t you? Think about the berries ripening now, dropping or being eaten, and their seeds being distributed into the soil. The same goes for acorns dropping in a fall windstorm, perennial seed heads dispersing, and the list goes on and on.

Fall is for Planting

Trees & Shrubs

Autumn provides us with shortened days, which means less sunlight and less heat. Logically, this equates to less evaporation, transpiration, and photosynthesis through the plants. Trees and shrubs planted now can focus their energy on developing root systems well below the surface where the soil is still warm and moist. Meanwhile, above the ground, they are slowly shutting down their visible growth processes. Green chlorophyll fades away, and their brilliant colors are left to be enjoyed.

Want to add fall color to your landscape? Some of our favorite shrubs for fall color include Fothergilla, Itea, Sumac, Spiraea, and even Hydrangea. 

fall is for planting

perennials

Like trees & shrubs, perennials also thrive when planted in the fall. Cooler weather and shorter days offer these plants a more comfortable growing environment, which reduces the risk of transplant shock. Any perennial you find in our stores at this time of year can be planted. The earlier you plant the better, so roots have a good stretch of time to establish before the ground freezes (which usually occurs mid-December in Northeast Ohio).

Some of our favorite late season-blooming perennials for fall color include Eupatorium (Joe Pye Weed), Goldenrod, Sedum (Showy Stonecrop), and Rudbeckia (Black Eyed Susan).

More Fall-Blooming Perennials

fall is for planting

mums and seasonal favorites

Summer-loving flowers start to fade when fall begins. You can quickly brighten things back up in the landscape or in simple containers on the front porch with fall favorites like Mums, Asters, Celosia, Pansies & Violas, cabbage, kale, and peppers.

When it comes to planting seasonal fall mums, the most common question is, “are they hardy”? While not as hardy as they used to be here in Northeast Ohio, there are quite a few ways to protect them through the winter so they grow back in spring. New mums need a good 6-8 weeks (before a freeze) to establish their root system. And, don’t prune them back! Leave the stems standing so leaves collect there, helping to insulate the plants through winter. Learn more in the video. For a true perennial mum that is hardy & reliable, look for the Mammoth™ Chrysanthemum series in the garden center each fall.

additional garden tasks

to accomplish this fall

Along with offering a more hospitable growing environment for plants, fall provides comfortable weather that make numerous other garden tasks more enjoyable.

Seeding the Lawn | September is the #1 best month in Northeast Ohio for both seeding new lawns and overseeding existing lawns.

Dividing & Transplanting | Fall is the perfect time for dividing and transplanting perennial favorites like Hostas and Daylilies, and so many others.

Planting Spring-Blooming Bulbs | Fall is the time to plant spring-blooming favorites like Tulips, Hyacinths, Daffodils, and more. The bulbs need an extended period of cold in order to bloom. Plant them before the ground freezes to enjoy bountiful blooms every spring for years to come.

what you need to know

planting tips

Digging, planting, and maintaining a new tree or shrub in the fall is great for plants and gardeners, as well! Just remember to follow Angelo’s 6 Steps for Success planting guide, as always. At the very least, amend the soil with organic matter like Petitti Planting Mix or Sweet Peet®, add a root stimulator like Espoma® Bio-tone®, and water deeply once per week (if Mother Nature does not) until the soil freezes.

Angelo's 6 Steps for Success

bringing it all together

like a boss

Planting in fall requires less maintenance, overall. Even better, you’ll find that planting in fall actually helps roots establish themselves more quickly, due to the shortening of days, warm soil, cooler air temperatures, and increased rainfall.

Check our fall inventory

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