Beginner's Guide to Fall Planting and Care - Behind the Hedges

Spring and summer are perhaps the busiest times of the year for gardeners. However, autumn is also a good time to take care of the garden.

Tree and bare root retailer Bower & Branch says soil temperatures in many parts of the country could still be warm enough to encourage root growth by the onset of winter. Plus, fall is often the perfect time to plant, fertilize, and care for a garden, or start the bounty for next year.

Here are some tips on how to make the most of the fall gardening season.

AUTUMN YEARS

Towards the end of September, start planting cool-weather loving pansies and violets for a pop of color when the summer flowers fade. It's also a good idea to stock up on flower bulbs that will bloom in the next few months before stores sell out. Wait until temperatures are really cool before planting in desired locations for spring shoots.

SAU LETTUCE SEEDS

Lettuce, spinach, radishes, and arugula all tolerate cooler temperatures. Try new and exciting lettuce varieties and enjoy salads well into the fall season.

MAKE THE SUN INVENTORY

Planting a garden carefully means maximizing the hours of sunshine, which begin to dwindle in the fall. Experts say gardens grow best in sunny locations that receive six hours of direct sunlight per day. This is where container gardens can come in handy as they allow gardeners to move plants to places with plenty of sunlight.

FILL GAPS IN THE GARDEN

Certain fall plants can add color to the landscape and brighten homes to increase appeal. In addition to pansies and violets, fall flowers include asters, kale, and chrysanthemums. Remember, moms can come back year after year. So get them out of those pots and plant them in the ground. They can also be enjoyed the following year as they bud in early spring and develop leaves and buds by late summer.

CLEAR UNDESIRABLE GROWTH

Fall is the perfect time to prune back wilted vegetables and remove weeds. Instead of bagging the leaves, snip them off with a grass catcher and then add the mixture to a vegetable garden as an excellent soil insulator. Nitrogen and carbon fertilize the soil, improve growth opportunities and limit weed growth.

propagating plants

As temperatures start to drop, start taking cuttings from perennials, picking azalea and rhododendron seedpods, and sharing hardwood cuttings, says the resource Gardening Know How. Consult a garden center or horticulturist for proper stem propagation methods using rooting hormones and other techniques.

KEEP WATERING

Water is essential in fall and winter as roots can still grow. Gradually reduce watering time when plants are dormant. Fall planting and tending can extend the gardening season and improve your chances of growing a healthy spring garden.

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