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Did You Know Fall is the Perfect Time for Planting?

by Mike Lizotte

As the summer winds down, it’s never too early to start thinking about fall and what additions or subtractions you might want to make to your garden.  More and more people are learning that fall provides a “second season” of planting and that it’s not just about maintenance and clean up in the garden!

Astible

With warm days and cool nights, fall provides the perfect time to add some hardy perennials such as Daylilies, Astilbe, Hostas and Hydrangea, which are a few fall-planted customer favorites. Don’t forget to add a little Organic Fertilizer to help stimulate root growth when planting, as this always helps.

Tulips and Grape HyacinthsFall is also the time to plant all your spring-blooming bulbs such as Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths and Crocus.  Create a big splash of color next spring by designing your flower beds this fall.  When planning, keep in mind all the various color options and heights of the different varieties of bulbs, as these tend to be two attributes that most people plan their gardens around.

The fall season also provides perfect seeding conditions for wildflowers as well.  Fall plantings have become more and more popular, especially in areas with mild winters as it allows the flowers to establish or be planted during the rainy seasons. Fall planting also takes advantage of the rain mother nature provides to help with germination, and cuts down on the watering that you may have to do.
Monarda and Black Eyed Susan

Fall plantings mimic the natural lifecycle of many wildflowers as fall is when the flowers are dropping their seed in hopes of producing again the following season. Seeding in fall allows the seed to lay dormant naturally through the winter months and begin to germinate once the ground temperatures warm in the spring season.  If your ground doesn’t freeze you can enjoy your wildflowers during your “cool season” as well.  You will also notice your flowers blooming sooner come spring when planted in the fall as well.

So whether you’re looking to add some perennials, create a burst of spring color with Tulips and Daffodils or finally try planting some wildflowers to attract some pollinators, fall creates a second season of planting that we should all take advantage of!

Happy Gardening! – Mike “The Seed Man”