Perfect Time to Plant: The Benefits of Fall Planting

GREENIMAGE LANDSCAPE & DESIGN:

PERFECT TIME TO PLANT: The Benefits of Fall Planting

by Christy Heitger-Ewing

“Fall planting is good Autumn symbolizes the start of picking apples, sipping hot spiced cider, attending football games, and carving jack-obecause as the weather begins to cool down, the lanterns, but the season also brings with it cooler temperatures, roots of the plants will start increased rainfall, and the perfect opportunity to plant! “Fall planting is good because as the weather begins to cool to grow again before winter down, the roots of the plants will start to grow again before and basically we get two winter and basically we get two growing seasons before we get growing seasons before back into a stressful period for the plants,” says Dan Weingart, owner of GreenImage Landscape & Design. “The fall period we get back into a stressful provides good water, good root growth, and good root period for the plants.” establishment.” – DAN WEINGART

Developing strong root systems is essential for growth because Owner, GreenImage Landscape & Design while aboveground trees and shrubs may be going dormant, belowground they will continue to create roots until the ground freezes. While homeowners often like to spread a new layer of mulch in the springtime to freshen up landscaping, applying mulch in the fall helps keep the ground warm longer, which can aid in root establishment. Weingart suggests planting roughly four to six weeks prior to the first frost.

Should you want to transplant existing plants, autumn is the right season to do this as well because this is the season that will stress plants the least.

Following winter in Indiana, we get spring rains, temperate weather, and another round of good root growth and water.

Summer obviously can bring scorching heat and inconsistent rain, which is why it’s the worst time of year to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. That’s not the case in the fall, however.

“The rate of survival for trees and shrubs is much higher when we plant in the fall,” says Weingart.

Another bonus for fall planting is not having to deal with as many weeds or insects. Like a pushy overbearing neighbor, weeds have a way of taking over a garden, and when trees, shrubs, and perennials are newly planted, weeds seem to have the upper hand. However, since weeds, too, go dormant in the fall, they are less likely to muscle their way in. Pesky pests are also less active once autumn arrives so the worry of all your leaves getting eaten up by insects is reduced significantly in the fall.

Last but not least, fall planting is so much more enjoyable than working outdoors in the heat of the summer. Less humidity, nice breezes, and moderate temperatures means that you can spend more time working outside with your hands in the dirt without having to battle oppressive heat. The seasoned professionals at GreenImage know just what to do when so contact them if you’re eager to transform your yard this fall. Learn more online at greenimagelandscape.com.

Landscape services provided by:

GreenImage

l a n d s c a p e & d e s i g n

GREENIMAGE LANDSCAPE Dan Weingart & DESIGN dweingart@greenimagelandscape.com 4195 Millersville Rd. Indianapolis, IN 46205 www.greenimagelandscape.com 317.288.2921 greenimagelandscape.com (317) 564-8280