Tips on Planting Perennials in the Fall

Fall is approaching and the mornings are beginning with cooler weather. Despite the impending winter, it’s not too late to give your landscaping beds a fall facelift and jumpstart your efforts for the upcoming spring.

Fall is an ideal time to plant perennials.

What are Perennials?

Perennials are plants, bushes, trees and flowers that have more than one growing season. Unlike their counterpart, the annuals, perennials typically live at least two years and some live for thousands of years.

While perennials can be planted in the spring or the fall, there are a number of reasons to consider planting them in the fall:

• The weather is less intense – the air temperature is cooler, and the sun is not as hot
• There are usually less weeds to deal with in the fall
• The plants get a head start on the spring plants, allowing the roots to establish
• With typically less rain in the forecast, there are more opportunities for yard work
• Pest and disease problems are less prevalent in the Fall

Fall Perennial Planting Tips

If you are considering planting perennials in your yard this fall, here are some tips to keep in mind:

• Be sure to buy strong, quality, substantial plants
• Check the tags on the plants when you buy them, and note how much sun they need and how tall they will get
• Handle them with care, and gently loosen the roots slightly
• Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant pot, and a little deeper
• Use mulch to warm the soil around the plant, which is especially helpful as the colder air approaches
• Plant before the first frost. This gives the roots time to get established before the ground freezes
• Save your fertilizer for the spring. Perennials will go dormant for the winter, and you want to encourage root growth, not flower growth
• Add a moderate amount of water, but don’t drown your plant. Perennials typically need water once a day for the first week, then every other day for the second week

What to Plant in the Fall

Choosing a perennial to plant in the fall depends on many factors: the region you are in, the typical weather you have, the landscaping bed you’d like to plant in, and other plants around it.

Various trees, shrubs, and bulbs such as tulips and daffodils are popular choices.

At Blue Ring Residential Services, we can help you choose the right perennials for your yard, plant them for you, and advise you on how to take care of them. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Blue Ring Residential Services at (614) 633-6770.