Most people think of fall as the end of the growing season and the beginning glimpse of another Chicago winter. Well try to look at it as an ideal time to plant!
Fall is a perfect time for planting shrubs, trees, grass seed, and even perennials if they have a developed root system. Fall planting gives plants time to develop roots before winter’s blustery conditions. The conditions are also less stressful and there may be more reliable precipitation.
What happens during fall conditions is a plant’s leaf and flower production is usually slowing down and approaching dormancy. Therefore, a plant can focus on root production. Roots continue to grow when other parts of the plant are not. Generally speaking, root systems will keep growing as long as the soil temperature is at least 50 degrees.
Although we generally get more rain in fall, the good news is that plants use less water then. Because days are increasingly shorter and cooler in the fall, plants are going to be photosynthesizing less and using less water.
Fall is also when depleted nurseries can begin to dig plants again, so varieties that were either unavailable or just downright unsightly in July and August, may become available.
Finally, don’t forget about BULBS! Its often surprising why more people don’t take advantage of this relatively inexpensive way to welcome in Spring. To achieve a gorgeous Spring show bulbs are planted in late fall.
Spring Tulips
If you’d like to start planning a fall project, it is right around the corner, so call us now and we will be happy to assist you!