Fall is a nifty fourth dimension toplant spring - blooming bulbs , braid , shrubs and , yes , perennial . While many people choose springtime for planting perennials , there are some real advantages to fall planting , particularly if you do it in September .
Here are five reason to be constitute perennial in crepuscule :
Softer Weather . May weather is all over the spot in Minnesota . Snow one day , 90s the next and all that jumping around can be sturdy on fresh imbed perennials . In fall , the temperature are less likely to make 30 degree swings in the course of a Clarence Day or two . So , with even lacrimation , you works is n’t to a fault try as it settles into its new habitation in the garden .
Fall blooming plants, such as sedum, do well when planted in the fall.
Design Clarity . September is the perfect time to look around the garden and see where the holes , the bad - looking pip and the ill performing plants are . Those are the places that call for something unexampled or need something moved . Example : I have a very reasonably peony that is tucked into a corner in my backyard , near a ninebark on a standard and another paeony . The placing is too tight ( my bad ! ) and the peony inevitably bewilder powdery mildew after it blooms . I ’ve suffer a skillful airy spot in the front yard , where it ’s sound to be transplanted this month .
Divide and Conquer!Fall is also the best time to separate perennial that might be overgrown , peculiarly those that bloom in the spring . sword lily , allium , salvia , daisies and many more can be part in fall .
portion out the divisions or plant them in your own garden . The University of Minnesota Extension has ahelpful entropy sheeton when to divide different perennials .
Irises are among the perennials that can be divided and transplanted in fall.
Less Work . Not that planting perennials is any less work now than in the spring , but loosely nurseryman are less rush in fall . I ’ve been following thenot - so - much cleanup routinefor several years and find that not only is it good for wildlife and insects , it ’s beneficial to the gardener ’s back .
Smaller Watering Window . New perennial ( and trees and bush ) need to be watered on a regular basis as their roots get established . With fall planting , that tearing windowpane may be only a few calendar week . The winter get , the plant freeze in shoes , and come give they are ready to go .
disadvantage to Fall Planting
Don’t be in a rush to cutback fall plants. The bees will thank you!
Now , it ’s not all roses planting perennial in fall . Selections at nursery will be much less than in the fountain ( so may be the prices ) and some of those plant have been sit in their blackened , plastic pot for months . Definitely design on some root pruning !
Another disadvantage is you could be catch by acold , ironic wintertime . If we have very dusty temperature and little Charles Percy Snow , your freshly plant perennials may suffer . That ’s why it is important to do the watering and add some mulch to protect the roots .
How late can you plant?The worldwide advice is up to one month before the first hard frost . That ’s definitely dependable and a good policy to fall out , but I have stretched it in the past . After building a new home many age ago , my married man and I installedour full landscape — trees , shrubs and perennial — in the first week of November ! It all come through winter just okay , except perhaps one rudbeckia .
What will you be planting this fall ?
-Mary Lahr Schier , editor program
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