AgEBB-MU CAFNR Extension
Green Horizons
Volume 24, Number 3
Fall 2020
Jumpstart Your Project with Fall Planting
Kim Young, Forest Keeling Nursery
Fall is here and it is a great time to plant container grown trees, shrubs and perennials. Many people associate planting as a spring activity, but there are tangible benefits to planting in the fall. In most cases, fall planting allows easy access to planting sites. Soil is normally workable, not too wet and not too dry. Spring time can bring excessive rains and flooding, causing delays in planting. Planting too late in spring does not allow ample time for plants to become well established and they are unprepared for heat, drought and competition.
Fall holds all the necessary conditions for successful plant establishment. The soil temperatures are warm enough to encourage root growth and establishment. Roots will continue to grow through the winter until the ground freezes. The roots are establishing when they don't have to support new stems, leaves and flowers. All the plants energy goes to establishing roots.
The optimum time to plant container grown stock is September 01 to Thanksgiving. This window can be stretched depending on weather conditions and soil temperatures. Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted as long as the soil is workable. Plants will need a deep soaking at the time of planting and will need continued watering until dormancy.
As the soil begins to warm in the spring, the roots become active and continue to grow. As plants begin to break dormancy, they have an established root system to support a surge of new growth. This advance establishment allows the plants to better compete with our Midwest summer conditions, weed competition, high temperatures and lack of moisture. Fall planting of container stock can gain up to a year in plant establishment and growth.