When most people think about planting season, spring probably comes to mind. But here in North Carolina, fall is actually one of the best times of year to add trees and shrubs to your landscape.
As the intense heat of summer begins to fade, September and the months ahead provide ideal conditions for establishing many landscape plants.
Cooler Temperatures Mean Less Stress
Planting during the heat of summer can be tough on both plants and gardeners. High temperatures cause plants to lose moisture quickly and can make transplanting more stressful.
As temperatures begin to cool in the fall, newly planted trees and shrubs experience less heat stress. This allows them to focus more of their energy on establishing a healthy root system.
The Soil Is Still Warm
One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is that while the air temperature is cooling, the soil remains relatively warm.
Warm soil encourages continued root development, giving newly planted trees and shrubs time to become established before winter. Even after the visible portion of a plant begins slowing down for the season, important growth can still be happening below the soil.
Plants Get a Head Start on Spring
Trees and shrubs planted in the fall have months to begin establishing roots before they face the heat of another North Carolina summer.
When spring arrives, these plants are already in place and ready to put energy into new growth. That head start can make a big difference when summer temperatures return.
Don’t Forget About Watering
Cooler temperatures don’t mean newly planted trees and shrubs can be forgotten. Consistent watering is still important, particularly when rainfall is limited.
Water deeply around the root zone rather than giving plants frequent, shallow watering. Continue monitoring soil moisture throughout the fall and into winter, especially during dry periods.
Start Planning Your Fall Landscape
If you’ve been thinking about adding shade trees, flowering shrubs, privacy screening, or new foundation plantings, now is a great time to start planning.
At Green Biz Nursery & Landscaping, we can help you select plants that are well suited to your landscape and our Fayetteville-area growing conditions. Fall planting season is almost here—let’s make the most of it! Schedule your free quote today!