Q: I have just received two peonies. Everything I read says fall is the best time to plant them. Can I store the tubers until this fall?

A: No, no: you should plant them now. Fall is designated the “best” time to plant them because they won’t have much environmental stress in winter and can put their efforts into making a good root system. Even so, they can grow fine if planted in spring. You just have to be more attentive to watering in summer. If you store them until fall, the roots will undoubtedly deteriorate.