Get a Jump on Spring By Planting Shrubs in the Fall

Fall is one of the best times of the year to get new shrubs into the ground. Learn more in this P.Allen Smith video:

If you had plans to plant shrubs in your garden last spring but didn’t get around to it, don’t worry – fall is one of the best times to get them into the ground. Due to the cooler temperatures and shorter days, plants go dormant in autumn. While very little is happening above ground, however, there is still a lot of activity going on in the root system. By planting in the fall , the shrub will have an opportunity to establish itself and settle in before it flushes with growth in the spring.

Here are some tips for fall planting:

• Gently tear roots of the shrub before planting to encourage the roots to spread out and take hold in its new home
• Add a root stimulator that contains Vitamin B1 and a mild fertilizer to accelerate the development of feeder roots
• Tuck plants in with 3-4 inches of mulch to keep the roots moist and help them withstand extreme temperature changes