Planting Trees in the Fall

Believe it or not, planting trees in the fall is a viable option. The cool temperatures, more frequent rainfall and warm soil make it a perfect planting time. You get the root growth which will be more than ready for the spring rains that arrive in April. When the leaves start to show in the spring, the increased root growth will be able to drink the rainwater and the stress of being transplanted is greatly reduced.

When you do decide to plant a new tree, perhaps ordered from your favorite online garden center, you need to dig a wide shallow hole. If you plant a new tree too deep, you can kill it. So the hole should be wide, shallow and two to three times the size of the root ball. This is so the root ball can spread out and not be bunched up. Place the tree gently in the hole, spread the roots out and gently fill the dirt in around the tree base. Make sure you water the tree thoroughly so that there aren’t any air pockets. Place mulch around base of the tree with 2 to 3 inches deep. Don’t make it a volcano with the tree out of the top but place the mulch around the tree in a circle without actually touching the tree base. The tree will need about an inch of water per week until the ground is frozen. You can also wrap the trunk of a thin barked tree in November if you live where it’s cold. You have to remember to remove the wrap in March though.

So what would be a good tree or two for planting in the fall? The Rising Sun Redbud is a vigorous grower. It has a full, rounded shape that holds its color into autumn. There is also a third season of interest which is provided in early spring by sweet pea-type flowers, rosy-orchid in color. These flowers appear before the foliage in spring and will attract both bees and butterflies. The new foliage is a brilliant rosy-apricot and the bark is a smooth tan with a yellowish cast. The bright rosy apricot leaves mature to summer foliage which ranges in color from gold to peach and apricot and lime. A beautiful tan bark with a yellowish cast extends the peachy color scheme into the winter. This tree is perfect for smaller gardens with a mature height of only 12 feet.

Another thought for fall planting is the Princeton Elm. The Princeton Elm is cold hardy in the bitter cold of the northern plains but is also at home in the sweltering heat of central Florida and central Texas. It also thrives in all regions in between. An elm tree is the perfect addition to your backyard, and as a shade tree, there is no equal. The Princeton Elm gracefully arches over and gives a cathedral appearance. Plus being Dutch Elm Disease resistant you don't have to worry about a dying tree in your yard.

Planting trees isn’t just for spring, as you can see, you can also plant trees in the fall successfully!

 Beautiful Growth on the Redbud Rising Sun continues all summer long! (above)

A street lined with Princeton American Elms. Whether planted as a single specimen in your yard or grouped in a thoroughfare, it is easy to see why this is America's tree icon. Absolutely stunning!

Wrapping Up Your Garden

This is the time of year when the heat of the summer dies down and you start to think about preparing your garden for winter. When you take the time to put your garden to bed, then spring’s garden is less work. But what steps should you take to get your garden ready for winter’s icy kiss?

First of all, cut back what’s overgrown and dead and clean up your garden debris. This means you’ll need to remove any spent annuals, vegetable plants and fall leaves. This will help to eliminate any diseases or pests that like to over winter in the dead plants and leaves. When you make your garden less inviting, then you have fewer problems come spring.

Second, make notes and take pictures of your gardens. See what worked, what didn't work and see where there are bare spaces. You can make decisions of what you want to plant to fill in the spots. This is also the perfect time of year to plant some shrubs or trees, so give those some thoughts. Since the air is cool but the soil is warm, the shrubs and trees will need less energy. This will let the roots become established before it gets too cold.

Third, cut back your perennials a few inches above the ground. The plants will come back next year because the roots are below ground. You can also divide day lilies and irises, clear through the month of September. You can trade with other gardeners or order some of the daylilies and irises through an online garden store. You will have some gorgeous new colors come spring that will delight your eyes. Also, now is the time to plant spring blooming bulbs. What better way to celebrate spring then with an explosion of color after the snow melts and the cold weather goes away.

Fourth, don’t forget to winterize your containers. Some containers aren't made to be outside all winter and you may want to put them in a shed or garage. Also dump out the dirt and clean and scrub containers that you are planning to use next year. When the containers are all scrubbed, cleaned and ready to go in the spring, you’ll be happy you did. Then all you’ll have to do is put in fresh potting soil, the plant and you’re set.

Fifth, perform a soil test and see if your soil may need amended. If you amend the soil with organic natural compost, manure, blood meal, bone meal or all amendments, they’ll have time to break down over the winter. When spring arrives, then there is food for your plants and they’ll grow healthy and strong.

Sixth, make sure you mulch, mulch, and mulch. When you mulch in the fall it provides a layer of protection over the plants roots. In cold climates, mulch helps to prevent frost heave and it will keep the temperatures of the soil more even and protect the roots even more.

Putting your garden to bed for the winter isn't difficult. What you do now not only will save you time in the spring, but will also save your plants.