Fall Into Planting: Why Autumn is the Best Time to Grow
When most people think of planting, spring steals the spotlight, but fall might just be your garden’s secret weapon. With cooler temps, fewer pests, and ideal root-establishing conditions, autumn is the perfect time to give your landscape a head start for next year. Here’s why planting in the fall can lead to thriving blooms and stronger plants come spring.
"Why Should I Plant in the Fall?"
There are many benefits to tending to the garden in the fall, one of them being that it’s more enjoyable for you to be out in the garden. While the temperatures of the air may be a bit cooler than those hot summer months, the soil that your plants are in actually holds the warmth for a little bit longer. Warm soil provides a space for seeds to properly germinate and roots to grow long and strong. It’s no secret that our winter months get cold here in New England. When the temperatures drop to that freezing level (32°F) the roots of plants stop growing. By planting in the fall, you’re giving your plants the best time to get prepared for the winter months and then when everything thaws in the spring, your plants are ready to grow!
Another benefit of fall planting is the lower stress level. Plants don’t spend the entire day in the hot, dry summer heat, and there’s likely more precipitation. With precipitation, that also means it’s a great time to fertilize. Jolene Hansen from Garden Tech explains, “Nitrogen spurs vigorous, leafy growth and rich color. Phosphorus promotes strong root development while helping plants use other nutrients efficiently. Potassium enhances overall growth, helping regulate root and top growth to keep plants balanced.” When our crews from Egan Landscape Group do your fall maintenance, cleanups, and planting, we make sure we’re giving your plants and your yard the care they need. Your plants will thank you!
There are many more benefits to planting in the fall. To name a few of the ones that didn’t get mentioned above:
- Less weeds
- Fewer insects and pests
- Increased moisture in the air
- Predictable precipitation
"What Plants should I Plant in the Fall?"
- Autumn Sage (Salvia greggii)
Goldenrod
Asters
Autumn Joy Sedum
Oakleaf Hydrangea
Shrub Rose
Black‑Eyed Susan
Chokeberry (Aronia)
Ornamental Grasses
Chrysanthemums
"What Trees should I Plant in the Fall?"
- Red Maple
- Black Gum
- Arborvitae
- Flowering Dogwood
- Bald Cypress
- Shumard Oak
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Pine
- Redbud
- Juniper
- Stewartia
These two lists above name a few of the more common plants that you may want to think about planting in the fall. We’ve also included a fall lookbook so you can “window shop” for what you like!
Though these plants can be installed at other points in the year, the fall time has proven to be a more encouraging time for the plants to grow. Many of the plants above can be found right in our nursery! As the fall months approach, you may also see that we get more in stock. For the best chance to pick out a plant and get them installed quickly, reach out to us by using the contact button below. This will put you in touch with our office so that we can schedule your fall plantings! More of a DIYer? Stop by the nursery in-person to browse our selection.
We hope to hear from you soon!