Top 5 Reasons Why Fall Planting is Prime Planting

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The Fall season in Minnesota is a prime time for cleaning up the gardens and landscapes, preparing our beloved plants in the late Fall for the Winter freeze, and now, the best time to plant your trees, shrubs, and perennials in your yard and gardens. Many may think the best time to plant is Spring. As Spring is a good time to plant, we are here to tell you that Fall is just as good if not better. Here are the Top 5 Reasons Why Fall Planting is Prime Planting.

 

5. Less Watering

Facing the biggest drought in 10-30 years, we can all agree that our Minnesota Summer of 2021 was not easy. The stress to keep our plants watered, healthy and alive has been quite the chore. Now that Fall is here, we can be certain for a change of pace from our vigorous watering schedules. Your watering haul is not over, however, it can be reduced substantially. With the days becoming shorter and the temperatures dropping your trees, perennials, and shrubs aren’t exposed to the drastic drying conditions and can maintain water for longer periods of time. Keep your eyes peeled for wilting leaves as a sign for watering needs. As we draw nearer to freezing begin to taper off on watering. Introducing your plants to the ground in the Fall also helps them build up their drought tolerance. Having them in the ground 6-8 months before the Summer gives them more time to deepen their roots so when Summer hits, they are more likely to withstand high temperatures and go without water for longer periods of time. 

 

4. Warm Ground

The warm ground from the long Summer days welcomes new plants with open arms. It is like a giant hug from the earth. When planting your trees, perennials, and shrubs in the Fall the roots acclimate faster, allowing for root growth and expansion to occur just before the Winter freeze. This will help the plant be established and settled for the Winter months ahead. You will want to have everything planted six weeks before freezing to allow for the proper amount of time for your perennials, trees, and shrubs to grow and then settle. As we all know, Minnesota weather is so unpredictable and freezing can come a lot sooner than anticipated (flashback to last Fall 2020 when we got that early, early freeze). Planting early in the Fall is best to avoid early freezes.

 

3. Root Growth

Because Fall is the time for plants to drop their leaves and lock-down for the colder months ahead, Fall is the best time for the establishment of the root base. Perennials, trees, and shrubs no longer need their energy to produce and hold onto the foliage and flowers. Instead, all this energy is now projected towards the roots. This allows for growth and expansion of the roots at a faster rate. When planted in the Spring, the ground is very cold still. The roots will take a longer time to get settled and start expanding their roots.

 

2. Less Stress

Summer provides long sunny days for our plants to give massive amounts of energy to the treetops and foliage of our plants, trees, and shrubs. While this is a necessity for plant growth, our plants get tired from these long days of harsh sun. As the days get shorter our plants, trees, and shrubs have more time to rest, but are also receiving an ample amount of sunlight to encourage growth. Spring is always a great time to plant, but when plants are introduced to the ground in the Spring, perennials, trees, and shrubs can be very stressed as they are introduced to cold ground and are in need of energy to produce both root growth expansion and shoot out new Spring buds. This is a lot for your plants, trees, and shrubs to process! Planting in the Fall reduces the root growth stress so your plants, trees, and shrubs can put majority of that energy into the foliage and flowers instead. 

 

1. Earlier Spring Blooms

Taking advantage of the extra growing season means your plants, trees, and shrubs will be established and ready for the following Spring ahead. Plants, trees, and shrubs will be able to start pushing out new growth in early Spring. Meaning you can enjoy your blooms and foliage earlier and longer rather than waiting throughout the season. The best part… you’ve already planted so there’s nothing more to do but sit back and watch Spring bloom! Who doesn’t love seeing those first signs of Spring sooner rather than later?! 

 

Come on out to Copper Creek and get your plants, trees, and shrubs now to plant this Fall. Give them a jump-start to the Spring growing season. Take advantage of the cooler weather to be outside and do your plantings. We have sales every week leading up until late Fall so be sure to check in with us on Facebook and or sign up for our newsletter to get the best deals and stay up to date. This week (September 13 – September 19) we have our sale ‘Buy One Get One 50% OFF’ on all our Flowering Spring Plants, Trees, and Shrubs. Get your Lilacs, Crabapple Trees, Rhododendrons, Irises, and more! A beautiful Spring awaits when you hop on this sale and plant now!