Jeff's Tips - Fall Matters
As we approach a busy new calendar year for academics and getting kids ready for school our plants are doing just the opposite. From a plant’s perspective, cooler temperatures and reduction in sunlight stimulate dormancy: a period of rest and inactivity. Temporarily, plants stop growing to conserve energy and wait for more favorable growing conditions. While in this sleep state, trees and shrubs are less stressed when planted, relocated, or even divided as in the case of perennials. This is why hundreds of garden centers across America post banners screaming “FALL IS FOR PLANTING”.
It is the season to get some things done in your landscape! Benefits like plant dormancy, cooler temperatures, excellent plant selection, and more predictable weather allow for good planting. From September 1st until the ground freezes or the snow falls, most plants can safely be planted, repositioned or transplanted. So too, once the leaves have dropped, any issues with leaders, broken or dead branches can be addressed. If your perennials are showing an obvious center or need more room to spread, by dividing in the cooler temperatures gives ample time to set new roots before the heat of next summer. Keep in mind that when the leaves start to fall, now and up to the middle of October is the best time for turf installation and renovation. Annual weeds that typically grow in a new lawn will be dying off with the first several frosts. This allows the grass seed to germinate with less annual weed competition. With a good germination this season, next Spring, the weeds can be addressed without tip toeing on delicate new growth.
Getting ahead of Spring 2012 is a great idea, given what we experienced in 2011. The shortness of last spring and what seemed to be continuous rainfall made it difficult to get key projects done in a timely and efficient manner. Why not get a jump on the new patio, address the drainage issues that became apparent or consider some dormant pruning. Just think, by focusing on the opportunities Fall presents, you’ll be way ahead of Punxsutawney Phil’s famous nod.
