Fall! It's the New Spring (for Planting)

Don't let the calendar or convention tell you when planting season is here! When it comes to planting your little slice of earth, fall is one of the best times of the year. Whether you're focused on garden perennials, bouquet-worthy hydrangeas, trees for fabulous fall color or more — fall is the perfect time to take a look around and get new plants in the ground.

Fall plantings can help attract and feed wild birds.

Why Is Fall a Good Time for Planting

Think of all the things that sometimes make gardening and planting a little less fun during frigid, wet spring seasons or hot, drought-ridden summers. Well, those things typically aren't around in fall.

As summer comes to an end, air temperatures cool down. But — this is important — soil temperatures are still warm. That's an ideal combo to encourage new roots so plants get settled in and established before winter comes.

Fall weather makes everything a lot easier on you and your plants. With cooler temps, there's less sweat equity involved. (That's always a good thing!) There's also less watering required, especially when Mother Nature steps in with gentle fall rains. Unwelcome insect pests usually slow down, too.

Another great aspect of fall planting is being proactive while the growing season is still fresh and clear in your mind. If you're sitting there wishing you had more color happening in your yard right now, or you're dreaming about feeding wild birds in your garden, you can take care of that with new fall plantings.

Instead of trying to remember in spring what you wanted to do now, you'll already have it done. And, when spring arrives, your plants will wake up in sync with nature — and roots already established. And you won't have to worry if it's still too early to plant.

Fall's a great time to spice up your landscape with colorful trees or shrubs.

What Plants Are Good for Fall Planting

Almost all garden and landscape plants do well with fall planting as long as they have plenty of time to settle in. That opens the door to planting new trees, shrubs, fruits, perennial flowers, and spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils. While you're at it, add some fall color with annuals, like pansies, too.

In general, plants that peak during cooler seasons — so, we're talking fall-blooming plants and early spring bloomers — can be planted right up to the time your area usually gets its first frost of the season. (If you're not sure when that is, do a quick search for "fall frost" and your zip code.)

Plants that hit the peak of perfection in warmer seasons — think late spring and early to mid-summer — need a little more time before frost hits. Give these plants at least four to six weeks in the ground before you expect your first frost. Earlier is even better, just in case frost comes early where you live.

These warm-season wonders need a little more time because their root development slows down when soil temperatures cool. It's the same principle that's in play when you're planting cool-season vs. warm-season lawn grasses. You want your fall-planted plants to root well before winter comes.

For trees and shrubs across the board, fall is the primo time to plant. Even when they drop their leaves and go dormant, you can still plant as long as your soil isn't frozen. That's why you'll see lots of nurseries offer trees and shrubs late into the fall season.

Nurture your soil and your roots with Pennington Rejuvenate Natural & Organic Garden Soil.

How and When Should You Plant in Fall

Other than the timing, planting in fall is really just like planting in spring. Whatever you plant, take time to explore what that plant needs, especially in terms of sunny gardens, shady spots and space. And always think beyond what the plant looks like now. Use your imagination and see what you hope it will become.

In other words, unless you're planting a mass of annuals meant for this fall and this fall only, give your plants enough room to grow to their mature sizes. Trust us, you don't want to have to move that gorgeous new tree in a year or so because it's sandwiched between other plants or, worse yet, against your house or garage.

Fall planting is also a perfect time for regenerative gardening to show your soil you care. With Pennington Rejuvenate Natural & Organic Garden Soil, you can work in harmony with nature to revitalize and renew your tired native soil. This premium garden soil mix brings your soil a host of beneficial ingredients that literally work to improve soil structure and performance. (Yes, soil can underperform. Who wants that?)

Pennington Rejuvenate Natural & Organic Garden Soil works to invigorate your soil with a low dose of essential plant nutrients. You'll also get added bio-stimulants to improve your plant's ability to take up nutrients, earthworm castings to enhance soil and sustainably sourced peat that helps soil retain water and nutrition. Just mix it in with your native soil in a 50:50 ratio in your planting hole, and you're on your way to better soil and happier plants.

When frost comes, your fall plantings will ready for winter — and spring.

How Do You Care for Fall-Planted Plants

Taking care of your fall plantings starts as soon as those plants are in the ground. Do yourself and your plants a favor and use Pennington Plant Starter at planting time and every two weeks until your first fall frost arrives. With vitamin B1 and essential plant micronutrients, liquid Pennington Plant Starter helps seedlings and transplants of all types of plants thrive. (BTW, it's awesome for houseplants you're repotting this fall, too.)

To help get your fall-planted plants off to the best possible start, you also want to give them some food as they establish their roots. The key to fertilizing in fall is to not overdo it. Too much fertilizer can trigger too much lush new growth — and that puts your plant at risk for damage when winter hits.

Liquid Pennington All-Purpose Plant Food 2-3-2 provides your fall plants with a low dose of the three nutrients they need most. Used as directed, you won't need to worry about feeding too much. Pennington has made it super easy. Both Pennington Plant Starter and Pennington All-Purpose Plant Food 2-3-2 come with easy-to-use dosing caps. Just give the bottle a squeeze, and you have a perfectly measured dose to add to water, according to label directions.

Then you can start enjoying all the other benefits of fall planting — like less watering, less weeding, fewer garden pests, and more time spent admiring your yard with family and friends. At Pennington, we believe in memories that last a lifetime and dreams that come true. Let us help you nurture your roots. Every step of the way, we're here for you.

Always read product labels thoroughly and follow instructions, including dilution rates and recommended frequency.

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