If you think spring is the only time to plant trees and shrubs, think again! Fall is an ideal season for planting trees, shrubs and other assorted plants.
A major benefit of planting trees and shrubs during the fall growing season is the additional time it gives them to establish a good root. The key is encouraging good root growth. Planting trees and shrubs in fall enables the root systems to grow before the hot summer returns.
The weather is cooling off and typically, the rainfall is plentiful. The cooling temperatures make planting more enjoyable for us Omaha landscapers doing the work and for the plants that are trying to establish themselves. While the soil is still warm but the air is cold, plants use all of their energy to establish roots, which is exactly what we want.
The ideal time to begin planting trees and shrubs is six weeks before the first sign of hard frost. Our Omaha landscaping professionals can do all the work from start to finish, you just sit back and relax and watch us plant! September through November is the ideal time for tree planting because it allows the roots to become established before the ground freezes and winter sets in. However, it is highly recommended that you do not continue planting trees too late into the fall because this can have a negative impact on plant health.
At Above & Beyond Complete Grounds Maintenance, we believe in fall planting because there are several benefits. Trees planted in the fall are better equipped to deal with heat and drought in the following season. Another great reason to plant your shrubs in the fall is because you can pick your trees and shrubs by the fall color they produce. Avoid planting broad leaved evergreens in the fall such as rhododendrons, azaleas, boxwoods, and hollies. If planted, provide them with protection from winter winds and have them treated with an anti desiccant. Some tree species that are recommended for fall planting include the maple, buckeye, horse chestnut, alder, catalpa, hackberry, hawthorn, ash, honey locust, crabapple, spruce, pine, sycamore, linden, and elm.
The most common mistakes when planting a tree are digging a planting hole that is too deep or too narrow, too much or little watering. Too deep and the roots don’t have access to sufficient oxygen to ensure proper growth. Too narrow and the root structure can’t expand to nourish and properly anchor the tree. Letting newly planted trees dry out during dry weather will kill them quickly. Overwatering young trees can drown and kill their roots from lack of oxygen. Letting an Omaha Landscaping Company help you plant makes life much easier.
Tips for planting in Fall
Start with a plan.
Good planning is a worthwhile investment of time that will pay off. It’s much easier to move plants on paper then to dig them after planting in the wrong place. A plan saves many planting mistakes.
Dig a hole large enough in diameter.
It’s important to dig a hole large enough in diameter so that the root system has at least six inches of clearance on all sides. The root ball should rest on a solid soil foundation, so don’t dig the hole much deeper than the ball.
Carefully place the tree or shrub in the hole.
Handle the plant by the root ball, not by the trunk. A broken ball of earth can mean a dead plant. Always remove any container before you plant.
Water the soil thoroughly with a slow stream of water.
You need a hose for this job or several buckets of water to adequately settle the soil.
Add mulch.
Add mulch around the base of newly planted trees and shrubs. This helps to keep down weeds and conserve soil moisture.
Do not amend the soil.
Backfill the hole, using only the native soil removed from the hole; do not use soil amendments when planting large shrubs and trees. Fill the hole, and firm the soil around the plant. Water thoroughly to settle the soil around the roots and to eliminate any air pockets.
Do not fertilize the tree or shrub.
This is fall. We do not want to encourage foliage to grow; it will only weaken the plant and take energy away from root establishment. Fertilize in the spring.
Do not prune the tree or shrub.
Pruning encourages new growth, which has the same detrimental effects in fall as fertilizer.
Call Above and Beyond CGM Today at (402) 934-8866
Since fall is a great time for planting trees and shrubs, what are you waiting for? They’re on sale this time of year, so give Above and Beyond Complete Grounds Maintenance a call today. We look forward to hearing from you!
