Fall Planting

The US is divided into 11 sections, numbered 1 to 11, with each section being 10 degrees Fahrenheit warmer or colder than the next section. This map is used to illustrate which plants can survive in which regions. Based on this and the rating of plant material, the contractor can propose a fall landscaping plan for clients.

Fall can be the perfect time to suggest the addition of new trees or shrubs to clients. There are a host of reasons contractors can cite to convince clients that fall may be the best season to plant, surpassing even the spring.
January through March may be the most popular time for planting, but the fall months of September through December have distinct advantages. Plant roots grow anytime the soil temperature is 40 degrees or higher, which may occur all winter in the southern sates. During the winter months, the roots systems of the fall-planted specimens develop and become established. When spring arrives, this expanded root system can support and take advantage of the full surge of spring growth.

Fall Plants by Region

• Camellias (Camellia Japonica) zones 7 to 9
  
  
  
  
  
  Camellias (Camellia Japonica)
  
  
  
• Japanese Maple (Acer palmatum) Zones: 5 to 8
• Evergreen Holly (Ilex) Zones: 2 to 12
  
• Crape Myrtle (Lagerstroemia indica) Zones: 7 to 10
  
• Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis) Zones: 2 to 7
  
  
  
  
  
  Snowdrops (Galanthus nivalis)
  
  
  
• Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia) Zones: 4 to 10
  
  
  
  
  
  Bergenia (Bergenia cordifolia)
  
  
• Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) Zones: 3 to 9
  
  
  
  
  
  Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
  
  
  
• Hellebores (Helleborus) Zones: 4 to 8

Fall Planting Advantages
Contractors can state the following facts to help clients decide to hire now rather than to wait for spring.

Earlier Bloom
Like fall-seeded lawns, fall-planted wildflower seed has a chance to "settle" into the landscape during the winter, and is all ready to burst into growth in early spring. This is why fall-planted wildflower seed is up and in bloom about two weeks earlier than spring-planted seed.

More Time In Fall
In the fall, the contractor has far more time to get the work done. And this works in two ways. There is a longer period and far more "good days" for planting in the fall than during the tricky weather in spring. And secondly, contractor has more time during the fall than during the spring rush to get everything done after winter.

Easier Weed Control, Too
Fall planting is done after the growing season has ended. That means any weed seed in the soil is dormant, unlike in spring when it's highly energized and just bursting to grow.

Time For Pre-Emergence
Advise clients that now is the time to apply pre-emergence, as it must be applied before emergence of winter weeds. Pre-emergent herbicides provide control for: Carpet burweed, chickweed, henbit, clover and many more. For control of spring and summer weeds, a second herbicide application should be applied around February 15th.