The Benefits of Fall Planting

By Kathleen Cue, Nebraska Extension Horticulture Educator

The first and most important thing to know is that Fall IS for planting!  Warm soils, cooler temperatures and less weed pressure make it a perfect time to plant regardless if you’re planting trees, shrubs, perennials or Kentucky bluegrass. 

I’m often asked if this is really true. After all, isn’t the best time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and Kentucky bluegrass is in the spring? Actually no, Fall is better.  Summer’s lingering warm soils coupled with cooler ambient temperatures are perfect, allowing plants to keep needed moisture and establish roots at the same time.  Good roots are important to winter survival and good root growth is achieved before the soil freezes in late November.

Weed seed germination is far greater in the Spring than in the Fall, so doing less cultivating to keep the weeds down means less competition for the desired plants and less work for you.

Finally, don’t miss out on the terrific sales.  If you have a bare spot in your landscape, there’s no need to wait.  Local garden centers have some wonderful sales and promotions going on, often at a significant savings compared to their Spring prices.

http://byf.unl.edu/september-garden-activities

Go to Dodge County Horticulture Web Page for more gardening information.