Yes, You Can Plant Perennials in Fall!

Normally we think of planting perennials in the spring, but did you know you can plant them in fall? In fact, fall planting has many advantages. First, the soil is warmer this time of year. It has been basking in the sun all summer, and it will retain that warmth for quite a while. That will give the plant a jump-start on growing. And the more moderate fall temperatures will reduce any shock that happens during transplanting.

What about frost? You may think the plants will just die when the frost hits and won’t come up next year, but that isn’t true. While the tops of plants appear to die after a frost, the roots continue to grow until the ground is completely frozen. A strong root system creates healthier plants next year. You should plant perennials several weeks before the first frost, which in our area is right about now. This gives them time to get established. Don’t want to wait too long though, as perennials planted right before frost will indeed have a hard time surviving the winter. There is also less competition from weeds in the fall.

Finally, perennials are on sale in the fall, so you get more for your money! Garden centers, like Pleasant Prairie Greenhouse, are eager to sell this year’s stock at the end of the summer. In fact, ours are 15% off. The plants may not look fabulous, as many are done blooming or approaching dormancy, but don’t let that fool you. They will come right back in spring.

In most ways, planting in the fall is the same as planting in the spring. You should be sure to prepare your soil well, gently loosen the plant’s roots before planting, and keep any newly planted perennials well watered. Avoid using fertilizer in fall, as most fertilizers will make the plant spend its energy on growing leaves and flowers instead of roots. It can help to add compost to the soil, though. You can purchase it when you buy your new perennials if you do not have your own compost bin. To protect the plant during its first winter, you may wish to plant it slightly deeper than normal or add a layer of mulch as the weather gets colder. Leaves from your yard are a great choice. Just run them over with the mower once to break them up a bit, then spread the leaves around the base of the plant. This will insulate the plant from cold and prevent frost heaves.

While most perennials do well when planted this time of year, it is best to avoid planting fall-blooming perennials now. They will experience more shock, and since all their energy is going to the flowers, the roots won’t get as well established before frost. Instead, focus on ones that bloom in spring and summer. Good choices for fall planting include Coreopsis, Bee Balm, Catmint, Columbine, Daisies, Daylilies, Dianthus, Gaillardia, Gaura, Heuchera, Iris, Lamium, Poppies, Perovskia, Penstemon, Phlox, Salvia, Spiderwort, and Yarrow.

Stop in if you have questions about fall planting, or any other garden topic! We are open and here to help Thursday -Sunday from now until the end of October.