Fresh Air Garden Designs - Fall - The Second Planting Season

Fall: The Second Planting Season
by Linda Anson

The ideal time to establish many plants
In our geographic region, not only is fall usually the more comfortable season for us humans, but it is also the more comfortable planting/dividing/transplanting season for many of our landscape plants. The soil is still warm, but the air is cooler, putting less stress on the plants in terms of water loss. Fall rains may lessen our need to water the plants. There are also fewer pests to bother our plants. Conditions are very good for plants to develop strong root systems before winter dormancy sets in.

Many perennials may actually do better planted in the fall than in the spring. So often our springs tend to be short, with temperatures becoming quite hot very quickly, even while the soil is still warming thoroughly. Perennials which particularly prefer fall planting and transplanting are peonies and Oriental poppies. Other perennials happy with fall planting and dividing include Achillea (yarrow), Artemesia, Astilbe, Campanula (Bellflower), Daylilies, Dianthus (pinks), Gaillardia (Blanket flower), Heliopsis, Hosta, German Iris, Phlox, and Sedum. When planting or transplanting perennials, wait until after the ground has frozen before applying 3-4” of mulch, such as shredded leaves. This will help against heaving during freeze/thaw cycles.

Many trees and shrubs also respond well to fall planting, but not all. Magnolias and tulip trees do not do well, as they don’t replace their fine roots rapidly. Hemlock, fir, birch, ginkgo and redbud also respond poorly and should be planted in the spring. On the other hand, pines, spruces, yews, junipers and rhododendrons all respond well, as long as you don’t wait until too late in the season for the roots to do their thing. Deciduous trees which are happy planted in the fall include maples, serviceberries, lindens and red oaks. Deciduous shrubs include lilacs, barberries, viburnums, mountain laurels and privets.

Many annuals can also be planted now for early bloom next spring. Larkspur, nigella, calendula, Shirley poppies, coreopsis, sweet alyssum, pinks and sweet peas can all be sown now, and their roots should be well established by the time cold weather arrives. This gives them a head start in the spring. You can also allow a few of the seeds of your favorite hollyhock and delphinium to ripen on their stalks, then take and plant those seeds right away.

Fall is also the best time to sow grass seed and to fertilize your lawn of cool-season grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, perennial ryegrass and fine fescue. The best time to fertilize cool-season grasses in Virginia is from August 15 through November, depending on the weather, of course. If August is too hot and dry, you may want to start a little later. If you fertilize heavily in the spring, there is an increased risk of injury to lawns from summer disease and drought, because of excessive leaf growth at the expense of food reserves and root growth. Of course, a soil test every 3 or 4 years is a must for appropriate fertilizing. Your Extension office can provide very specific guidelines for type of fertilizer and timing of applications, as well as how to have your soil tested.

And don’t forget: In all cases of planting and transplanting, be sure to provide plenty of water, 1” per week, to ensure your planting success. It’s also better not to fertilize your fall-planted additions with nitrogen-rich fertilizers, as the nitrogen encourages tender new foliage growth which is very susceptible to frost damage. If fertilizing in the fall, use formulas which encourage root development. Happy fall planting!