Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Conservation Tips - Fall is the Time to Plant

by Amber Ellis, JRA's Watershed Restoration Associate/Volunteer Coordinator

The hours of daylight are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting cooler, a sure sign that fall is almost here! Anyone with a garden will be heading outside to clean up their garden for the winter. What you may not know is that this is also the best time to transplant and install new plants, especially trees and shrubs. Some perennials would rather be divided in spring, so just make sure you check before you start digging.


Take some time to walk through your garden and make note of things you would like to transplant to a new area or areas that you may want to plant something new. By planting in the fall, you will conserve water as plants are using less water because photosynthesis is slowed by the shorter days and the sun and heat are not stressing the plants. By planting in the fall, you will give the plants time to establish a healthy root system and they will emerge in the spring as stronger plants. Need another reason? Plant sales! Many nurseries and garden centers offer discounts on plants during the fall to encourage fall planting and to clear out their inventory.

Fall Planting in Virginia
Falls’ a Good Time to Move Perennials
Shrubs: Functions, Planting, and Maintenance
Planting Trees

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