When is the best time for planting?
Spring would seem to be the best time for planting. The cold winter months are gone, all the old plants have been removed and it’s the perfect time to start a new.
When planting in spring, most of the plant’s energy goes into growth above ground; foliage, flowers, fruit, and branches. Roots, for the most part, do very little growing.
But, what about the Fall?
We don’t always have the same reaction when Fall comes around. Winter is around the corner, which means wetter days, less sun, and cold nights. Unlike in Spring most of your big box stores have stopped selling seedlings and plants and turned to other things. But, what many of us don’t think about is that Fall is a perfect time for planting.
Ground temperatures are still warm enough for seeds to sprout and it is a lot easier for trees and plants to be transplanted. As the air cools, plants are getting ready for winter and they know it’s time to grow their root system, in order to reach the needed nutrition to survive the cold weather ahead. Growth above ground begins to slow and all their energy goes into developing longer, stronger roots.
Because of the milder temperature in Fall, there are more good planting days than Spring. Another advantage of Fall planting is that common garden pests and diseases are less of a problem.
So get growing, your fall garden awaits!