What can you plant this time of year? Plenty!

 

The ground is still warm enough to plant perennials, shrubs and evergreens. We still have lots of lovely plants on sale! They are 50% off for member-owners and 30% off for the general public. To learn how to plant a tree or shrub, we like this guide from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative Extension: Planting and Mulching Trees and Shrubs.

A few tips for planting perennials and shrubs in the fall:

~ Don’t amend or fertilize the soil. Since the plant is getting ready to go into a dormant period you don’t want to encourage new growth. Wait until next spring to add fertilizer. (Adding a root hormone, which encourages root growth, is ok.)

~ Don’t prune your new tree or shrub. Wait until the plant has become established in its new home before pruning.

~ Do add mulch around new plants to help protect them. Lawn clippings, raked leaves, and pine needles are all good mulches. Be careful that mulch doesn’t pile up around the trunk of your plant. This can lead to disease, insect and rodent damage. Adding another layer of mulch after the ground freezes is good too. This adds another layer of protection, but discourages critters from making their home in the mulch.

~ Don’t forget to water! Adequate water is key for fall planted trees and shrubs need to develop roots quickly. We’ve had a lot of rain this fall, but it’s still good to check soil moisture around your new plant every day.

 

 

 

It’s also the perfect time to get spring bulbs in the ground for next year.

Tips for planting bulbs:

~ Plant in well drained areas so bulbs won’t rot.

~ Planting depth is determined by bulb size. Plant bulbs at a depth of 3-5 times the height of the bulb.

~ If you can’t tell which end of the bulb is up, plant it sideways – bulbs will naturally right themselves once they start to grow.

~ What to do about hungry squirrels? Soak bulbs in a bowl of I Must Garden liquid squirrel repellent for 15 minutes. Plant bulbs according to directions. Pour remaining repellent over planted area.