Autumn Joy: The Benefits of Fall Gardening

It may be the end of summer, but it is definitely not the end of the gardening season. With the arrival of autumn come the many benefits of fall gardening, and there is still plenty of time to add new plants to your garden, divide perennials, or plant spring bulbs and trees.

Autumn is an excellent season for planting. Cooler daytime temperatures and crisp nights reduce stress on plants and allow them to transplant easily while they focus on establishing strong root systems before winter.

Moving and Dividing

If you weren’t quite happy with the placement of certain plants this season, fall is the perfect time to redesign. Everything is still fresh in your mind from summer, making it easier to see what worked and what didn’t.

Most woody plants, including trees and shrubs, are best moved once their leaves have dropped, just before freeze-up. At this stage, their roots are less susceptible to shock, growth has slowed, and they can settle comfortably into their new location until spring.

Tip: Always amend the planting hole with compost and bone meal, and water thoroughly after planting.

When it comes to perennials, a simple rule of thumb applies: early summer bloomers should be divided and moved in fall, while plants that bloom from mid-summer into fall are best divided in early spring. Early morning is the ideal time to dig and divide, and it’s important to protect exposed roots from drying out in the sun. Lift the entire clump gently, then use a sharp spade to divide as needed.

Tip: Cut back foliage to at least six inches before dividing to reduce stress. After replanting, soak thoroughly and use a transplant fertilizer to help minimize shock.

Watering

All fall gardens need consistent watering, whether plants are being divided or left in place. Cooler temperatures can make it easy to forget that soil still dries out. Plants should enter winter well-hydrated and stress-free, especially trees and evergreens. A slow, deep soaking in autumn helps ensure roots are well prepared for the cold months ahead.

Fall Colour

If your garden is lacking autumn interest, now is the time to browse your local garden centre and see what’s in bloom. Great perennial choices for late summer and fall colour include echinacea, windflowers, black-eyed Susans, fall phlox, perennial hibiscus, and sedum.

For shrubs with strong fall appeal, consider classics like burning bush, coralberry with its coral-pink berries, hydrangea paniculata whose blooms blush pink as temperatures cool, butterfly bush, rose of Sharon, or gro-low sumac. An added bonus to fall planting is the opportunity to take advantage of end-of-season sales.

Bulbs

Don’t forget to plant spring-blooming bulbs now. Each year, disappointed customers ask for bulbs in April or May, but daffodils, tulips, alliums, muscari, crocus, and even garlic must be planted in fall. These bulbs need a period of cold in order to bloom beautifully and bring early colour to the garden next spring.

Autumn is truly an ideal time to garden. The weather is comfortable, the work is rewarding, and you’ll be giving next spring’s garden a head start.

What are you going to plant this fall?

Peace & Plants,
Kelly Heath
Retail Manager