It’s not over until it’s over: Fall Planting
Around here, the first real ‘nip’ in the air usually comes in late August. It usually doesn’t last- typically reserved for the hours between dusk and sunrise- but it is always an instant reminder that change is on our doorstep.
I always get excited when the temperature begins to dip. Not only do I love the seasonality of life in Canada, but the cooler air is welcomed with open arms. I am usually pretty ‘done’ with the heat of summer at this point in the year (truthfully I am usually done with it in July) and I am just longing to cozy up in my fleece sweater and sport my favourite hair accessory: the toque.
Shorter days, cooler temperatures, amazing colours… fall is here!
With the change in wardrobe comes a change in garden mindset too- thoughts of removing annuals, cutting back perennials, cleaning up leaves, and erecting snow/wind protection usually comes to mind when we think of fall gardening, but let’s not close out the gardening season so quickly! Fall is also a fantastic time for another fun task… planting! Which, may I point out, generally involves acquiring NEW PLANTS- yippee!
Fall Planting
Fall is a great time for planting for a few reasons:
The air temperatures are cooler which makes the change in location less stressful on the plant. Cooler temperatures also discourage the plant from sending out top growth (which is ideal since we want new plants to focus on root growth instead).
The soil is still warm which allows for root growth (and therefore plant establishment).
There is [usually] more consistent moisture in the form of rainfall. Moisture is essential for the establishment of newly installed plants. When it is generously provided by Mother Nature, it minimizes the need to irrigate newly planted material. Additionally, the cooler temperatures mean the garden won’t dry out as quickly so it will be easier to keep plants properly watered while they get established (proper watering is usually a losing battle in the summer).
We get a head-start on next year’s growing season. By planting at this point in the year, new plants have a good month or more to ‘put down roots’ giving them a good head-start for next year.
Yippee! New plants! (Rudbeckia hirta ‘Prairie Sun’)
A Word of Caution
While fall is generally a great time for planting, there are a few plants I shy away from installing in the autumn months. They include:
Broadleaf evergreens such as Rhododendron, Pieris, evergreen Ilex (holly) and Buxus (boxwood). These shrubs retain their leaves throughout the winter months and it is through these large leaves that moisture is lost. With the soil water frozen (and therefore ‘locked-up’), these plants are not able to replenish the water lost from their leaves and the plants then become at risk of desiccating (drying out) over the winter months.
Other evergreens with needle/scale-like foliage such as Pinus (pine), Picea (spruce), Thuja (cedar), Tsuga (hemlock) etc. While these evergreens are generally adapted to harsher climates and their foliage is designed to minimize water loss, the needles/scales are still areas where water loss can occur. Once again, with roots unable to access the moisture locked-up in the frozen soil, these plants can suffer from winter desiccation. (It should be noted that this is particularly an issue for newly planted nursery stock; once these evergreens are established with a more mature root system, the concern over winter desiccation lessens).
Plants that are marginally hardy for the location in which I am planting them. The two plants that come to mind are Buddleia (butterfly bush) and Caryopteris (bluebeard). For plants such as these, I want them to have the whole growing season to get themselves established in my garden before they need to face the harsh reality of winter!
Caryopteris- a plant that doesn’t exactly have the best track record for withstanding our winters. For that reason, it is one that I prefer to plant in the spring.
Throwing out the Rules
As with many things in gardening, rules are meant to be broken. In reality there are many amazing sales to be had at the garden centres and realistically, gardeners tend to have a bit more time on their hands in September/October as opposed to the spring (when there is no end to the ‘to do list’). Planting at this time of year makes practical sense.
So what happens if you just happen to purchase some plants that are not-so-ideal for fall planting? Well, there are a few techniques you can use to help ensure the survival of your new additions:
Burlap- erect a burlap screen around newly planted trees/shrubs to minimize airflow around the plants (which in turn minimizes the evaporative water loss from the plants and helps to ward-off desiccation). Screens get erected once air temperatures remain consistently cold- usually November.
Mulch- Applying a good layer of mulch around the plant protects the establishing root system by providing additional insulation from the cold as well as potentially damaging temperature fluctuations. Mulch also helps to conserve soil moisture.
Water- It is important to remember that despite cooler air temperatures, soil can still dry out. For roots to grow and establish, they need moisture so it is important to keep watering newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials right up until the ground freezes! Proper watering during the autumn months will also ensure your plants are “fully hydrated” entering into the winter. This is an important step in helping your plants survive winter water loss without completely drying out. (A drought-stressed plant is much more likely to succumb to winter desiccation than a property watered plant.). So check your soil often, and when it starts to get dry, be sure to water. With that said, it is important to not keep the soil consistently wet, as this will promote root and crown rot issues in your plants.
Phew! Well that was long-winded! So as you can see, the growing season is certainly not over! On that note, I have a sudden urge to take a walk through my garden and make a shopping list- afterall there are still some ‘must-haves’ that must find a place in my garden this fall!
Happy planting!
A sea of colour… take it in! It won’t last long…