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Plant Now for a Better Spring Garden

Posted on by admin
04
Sep

Spring may get most of the attention when it comes to planting, but fall is one of the best opportunities to improve your New Jersey landscape. Cooler temperatures and soil that is still warm from summer create favorable conditions for establishing many trees, shrubs, perennials, and spring-blooming bulbs.

Plant now, and you can give your garden a head start on a beautiful spring.

Why Fall Is a Great Time to Plant

During fall, plants face less heat stress while the soil remains warm enough to encourage root development.

Fall planting offers several advantages:

  • Cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress
  • Warm soil encourages root development
  • Moisture evaporates more slowly
  • Plants can focus energy on establishing roots
  • Roots can begin settling in before winter

While you may not see much new growth above ground, important development can be happening beneath the soil.

Plant Trees and Shrubs

Have a larger landscape project you’ve been putting off? Fall is a great time to get started.

Trees and shrubs can add:

  • Shade
  • Privacy and screening
  • Spring flowers
  • Colorful fall foliage
  • Evergreen structure
  • Wildlife habitat
  • Year-round landscape interest

Choose plants suited to the sunlight, soil, drainage, and available space in your landscape. Be sure to consider their mature height and width too.

Add Perennials for Years of Color

Fall is the perfect time to look back at this year’s garden and notice where something was missing.

Maybe a border needs more color, an empty space needs filling, or you’d like to extend your garden’s bloom season.

Adding perennials now allows their roots to begin establishing before winter, giving them a head start when growth resumes in spring.

Plant Spring-Blooming Bulbs

Want a colorful display of tulips, daffodils, crocus, or alliums next spring? Fall is the time to plant them.

Spring-blooming bulbs need to be planted before winter so they can experience the cold period required for their natural growth cycle.

For a more dramatic spring display, plant bulbs in groups or drifts instead of placing them individually throughout the garden.

Plan for Color Throughout the Seasons

As you’re planting this fall, think beyond spring.

Combine plants with different bloom times to keep your landscape interesting throughout the growing season. Spring bulbs can start the show, followed by flowering shrubs, summer perennials, and late-season flowers.

A little planning now can create months of changing color next year.

Keep New Plantings Watered

Cooler temperatures don’t mean you can forget about watering.

Newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials need consistent moisture while becoming established. Check the soil during dry periods and water deeply when necessary.

Continue monitoring new plantings until the ground begins to freeze.

Finish with Mulch

A layer of mulch around new trees, shrubs, and perennials helps conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce weeds.

Keep mulch away from direct contact with tree trunks, shrub stems, and perennial crowns.

Plant This Fall and Enjoy It Next Spring

Don’t wait until spring to start creating next year’s garden.

Plant a new tree, create a shrub border, fill garden gaps with perennials, or tuck spring-blooming bulbs into your beds. The work you do this fall can help set the stage for a beautiful new growing season.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I plant in New Jersey during fall?

Many trees, shrubs, perennials, and spring-blooming bulbs can benefit from fall planting.

Why is fall good for trees and shrubs?

Cooler air reduces heat stress while soil warmed by summer can continue supporting root development.

What bulbs can I plant in fall?

Tulips, daffodils, crocus, and alliums are popular spring-blooming bulbs planted during fall.

Do fall-planted perennials need watering?

Yes. Newly planted perennials need adequate moisture while their roots begin establishing.

Should I mulch after fall planting?

Yes. Mulch can help conserve moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and suppress weeds. Keep it away from direct contact with trunks and stems.

Visit Donaldson Greenhouse & Nursery

Fall isn’t the end of gardening season. It’s a chance to get a head start on next year. Stop by Donaldson Greenhouse & Nursery for trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and inspiration for your fall planting projects.

Donaldson Greenhouse & Nursery
178 Airport Road
Hackettstown, NJ 07840

Current Hours
Monday through Saturday: 8 AM to 6 PM
Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM

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