What to Plant in the Fall
Fall is the best time to establish new turfgrass and do most lawn chores. If you live in the North, cool-season grasses such as bluegrass, fescue, and ryegrass should be fertilized in early September and again in late October or early November to give a boost for earlier spring green-up. In the South, avoid fertilizing dormant warm-season grasses unless they have been overseeded with winter ryegrass.
Fall is an ideal time to plant trees and shrubs. The weather is cool but the soil is still warm enough for root development. Before digging, always check with your local utility companies to locate any underground lines. Always plant trees and shrubs at their natural soil lines. Keep newly planted trees or shrubs well watered until the ground freezes so they get a good start before going into full dormancy during winter.
Learn more about planting trees and shrubs.
How to Plant a Tree
-Trees add years of beauty to your landscape and help shade your house keeping it cooler around the summer and attract birds as well. It's pretty easy to plant a tree. Just follow these simple steps for success. First off, make sure you're planting your tree in the best possible spot. Pay attention to the size of the tree so that it doesn't end up outgrowing it space. Also note the growing conditions ensuring the tree is compatible to your soil type, the amount of sun and shade they gets, and other climate factors. Once you place your tree, mark a hole about twice as wide as the pot. We find it easy to leave the tree in place then start your circle removing the side in 1 or 2 pieces and then digging up the trail. One of the most important things to pay attention to when you're planting your tree is making sure the tree's planting hole is about as the opposite farthest hole. Avoid digging the hole too deeply. It's more work for you and harmful to the old tree. As you drop your tree into the hole, loosen the root balls spreading up the roots. This is important too. The tree roots grow in circles inside the pot. They continue to grow that way and eventually strangle your tree. After your tree is placed, fill the hole with the soil you dug from it. Resist the urge to fill it with better soil. You don't want to create a pocket for your tree's roots that they don't want to grow out of. Water you tree well and cover the soil with a couple of inches of mulch. This keeps the soil cool and moist as your tree gets established.
It's fine to plant perennials in the fall, especially specimens with large root balls.
Fall is a good time to divide and replant hostas.
Learn how to divide perennials.
Peonies should always be planted or transplanted in the fall. Avoid planting them too deep -- no more than 2 inches above the bud on the root -- or they won't bloom.
Pick a perfect peony.
Late summer and early fall are good times to plant and transplant irises.
Learn how to grown bearded irises.
Chrysanthemums come into full glory by late summer and early fall, but it's not the ideal time to plant them. Garden mums do best when planted in spring so they get fully established before winter. Sadly, the big, beautiful pots of florist mums you can buy already in bloom at a garden center won't survive the winter if you plant them now.
Learn how to use mums in the garden.
Any fall-planted perennials should be carefully watered until the ground freezes to keep their roots healthy and strong. Don't overwater, but make sure the plants get at least 1 inch of water one time per week.
How to Divide Daylilies
-Daylilies are one of the easiest perennials you can grow. They are also one of the most budget friendly. A 2-foot clump can be divided into as many as 10 plants that you can either expand your garden with or share with your friends. To pick up daylily clump, take a garden spade with a nice deep sharp blade. Stick it in to the ground around the perimeter of the plant and get as much of the root ball as possible. Be sure to dig out the entire plant. Loosen the root mass as you go. Use your spade as a lever and top root ball out of the ground. Cut a large clump in half to make it easier to lift. Sit the clumps in a wheelbarrow or on a tarp to confine the mess. Separate each clump into several small plants with the sharp garden knife. Make sure each division has a set of leaves and roots. Place just one of the divisions back in the hole. Use your spade to make sure it's at the same depth they grow before. Improve your garden soil by mixing lots of compost. Shovel it into the hole around the plant. Press the soil down with your hands. Spread mulch around the plant. This will help keep the soil moist and shade out weeds. Water the planting area. Regular watering the first season will help establish the roots. What's next expand your garden at no cost with the other divisions or share them with friends.
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