Learn / Ask The Landscape Professional
I see on your web site that Sprigs & Twigs is a national award winning landscape design and installation company and I saw you installing a garden at my neighbor's house last week. Isn't it getting late in the season to do plantings?
Answer
That's a great question that I get asked every year. Actually,
the cooler air temperatures, increased rainfall and warm soil
temperatures make the fall the BEST time of year to plant
perennials, shrubs and trees. The key to a successful planting
is getting good root growth established. Roots actually grow
well until the deep soil temperature gets below 40 degrees F.
Depending on the severity of the winter, the soil temperature
many never get that cold. So even though the above-ground
temperatures may be colder than that with a cold wind blowing,
the plant's roots are still growing. Plants become dormant
above ground, but the roots have months to get
established and when spring gets here they are
ready to go. That's why you will see Sprigs & Twigs
installing gardens in your neighborhoods for
at least another month and maybe longer.
As I have written about previously, fall is
also the best time of year for turf grass planting for
exactly the same reasons as above. Also, there is
no competition from the weeds that are dying
out at this time of the year. When it comes to
bulbs, plant them as soon as you get them in the
fall-anytime from the end of September to Thanksgiving
for best results. Most bulbs need a 14-15
week cooling period at temperatures between 35 and
50 degrees to prepare them for leaf and
flower growth. Plant bulbs in a loose, porous soil
with good drainage with some Bone Meal
(supplies Phosphorus for root growth) added at the
base of the hole. Plant bulbs at the correct
depth which is usually equal to three times their
diameter. If you forget to plant them this year, it
is best to throw the bulbs away since they dry out
fairly quickly.
As a final thought, this is also a great time of
the year to split and transplant your overgrown
perennials. If we can be of any service give us a
call any time.
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About Linda Lillie
Linda K. Lillie is the President of Sprigs & Twigs, Inc, the premier
landscape design and maintenance, tree care, lawn care, stonework, and carpentry
service provider in southeastern Connecticut since 1997. She is a graduate of
Connecticut College in Botany, a Connecticut Master Gardener and a national
award winning landscape designer for her landscape design and landscape installation work.
