Edge Of The Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC

Specializing in plants native to mid-Atlantic ecosystem

Fall is for Planting. Yes. Really!!

As summer wanes to an end, we often get the question, is it too late to plant? And the answer is no, it’s not too late to plant!  In fact, it is one of the best times to plant.

Why Fall?

Because temperatures have dropped, it is less stressful on the plants when transplanting. The lower temperatures also makes watering and care easier and less frequent.  They will still need watering until established, but the chore should be less burdensome with the lower temperatures.  (As always, feel the soil a few inches below the service and if it is dry, water.  It’s always best to water slowly and deeply.  In the fall, perhaps once a week will be enough, as opposed to every other day in the heat of the summer.)

Plus, working out in the garden on a nice, crisp fall day sure is better than digging holes and hauling trees around than in July! Take advantage of the more gentle temperatures this fall, and create a new perennial garden, a diverse hedgerow, or add some trees to your property.

Your new plants will now have two seasons of cool temperatures (fall and next spring) before encountering hot summer weather.

Trees, Shrubs, or Perennials — Does it Matter?

Almost all trees and shrubs can be planted up until the ground freezes.  If you can dig a hole, you can plant!

We don’t recommend planting perennials long after Halloween.  This allows them time to anchor their  roots into the ground before heavy frosts.  Heavy frosts and frozen soil can cause a small plant to heave them out of the ground.  Planting perennials this fall will lead to nicely established plants next spring. In fact, if you’re dreaming of spring blooming plants already, plant them now. That way, they’ll be established and blooming next spring in your garden.

Mulch

Though weeds are less of a concern in the fall, weed seeds are dispersing everywhere. Mulch your new garden beds and around new planted trees to keep weed numbers lower the following spring. This will eliminate competition so your new plants can grow to their potential. Leaving newly disturbed soil bare over winter may lead to a rapid germination of weed seeds in the spring.

Mulching also conserves moisture and can help prevent frost heaving by maintaining more constant soil temperatures. We recommend using only natural mulches in light applications (around 2 inches deep).

Divide Perennials

Late summer into early fall is also a great time for dividing established perennials. Cut back and divide the crowns of your overgrown perennials now.  Move rooted suckers of woody plants in the late fall, such as shrubby dogwoods, hollies, sweet shrub, and roses.

What About Winter?

Fall-planted plants usually won’t require extra watering once dormant. (They do need water while actively growing.)  When they break dormancy in the following spring, their root systems will continue to establish and take advantage of spring rains. By summer, they’re usually established and do not require watering unless during dry spells or drought.
Trees and shrubs planted in the fall will need watering in early spring as they ‘wake up’ when temperatures start to warm, perhaps even before you see growth.  If there is no snow cover on a warm, sunny day in February or March, make sure the ground is moist.  They may start drawing water up from the soil and will suffer if the soil is dry.

Next Spring

If you plant this fall, next spring you can enjoy the spring weather, watch your new plants blossom, and weed and tweak.  You can shop for new plants at your leisure, filling in spots you weren’t able to get to in the fall.

Trees, Trees, Trees!

Here is a partial list of the MANY trees now in stock for your fall planting.

Oaks – White, Black, Pin, Willow, Shingle Chestnut, Swamp White
Maples – Red, Striped, Sugar
Fruits – Persimmon, PawPaw, Serviceberry, Raspberry, Chokeberries, Cranberry Viburnum, Elderberry
Showy Trees – Redbud, Fringetree,  Tulip Tree
Birches – Sweet, Paper, River, Yellow
Evergreens – White Cedar, Red Spruce, White Pine, Larch, Canaan Fir
Others – Sycamore, MuscleWood, Ironwood, Hornbeam

Stop in Today for best selection.

 

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Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery, LLC
A WBE Certified Woman Owned Business
Promoting Native Plants Since 2003

2415 Route 100, Orefield, PA 18069
(610) 395-2570
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