CHAMBERSBURG, Pa. — As fall approaches many garden centers proclaim, “Fall is for planting!” and reduced prices can often be found. Fall does have advantages, especially in our area with windy and cold weather coming on its heels.
Fall provides a great jump-start for plants as shorter days, less sun, more rain, and cooler temperatures reduce transplant stress. With air temperature cooler than the soil, more energy goes into developing a stronger root system than top growth. Plants to consider in the fall are trees, shrubs, hardy perennials, and bulbs. Additionally, it is a good time to work on lawns.
Trees, shrubs, and hardy perennials grown in containers can be planted from early to mid-fall. They should be planted at least six weeks before the first frost (typically October 19 in Franklin County) to let the root system get established. Loosen the soil in container plants before planting. For trees and shrubs, cut an “X” in the bottom of the root ball and some shallow slits on the sides to allow the roots to spread. Check weekly, water if dry, and add a thick layer of mulch to avoid heaving during the freeze/thaw periods in winter.
Most people know that the usual suspects in the spring bulb line-up such as hyacinths, narcissus, and tulips are programmed by nature to grow and bloom after a long, cold spell. When choosing bulbs to plant consider some of the lesser-known, fall-planted players: Fritillaria with nodding, bell-shaped flowers, Snowdrops (Galanthus) are usually the first blooms of spring, and Crocus that pop up in colors of yellow, purple, and white. These should be planted in cool, fall weather while the soil can still be worked but before the first hard frost.
Most of the turf grass grown in Pennsylvania lawns are “cool season” varieties. Late summer to early fall is an ideal time to plant a new lawn, patch bare areas, or overseed an existing lawn. The best practice for getting grass seed to germinate is to make sure it has good soil contact. Loosen the top layer of soil before planting or raking the seed in. Newly planted seed may be mulched with a light layer of straw. Grass seed needs consistent watering, especially until it germinates. This is more likely to happen in fall as it avoids stress during hot summer days.
Fall is also a good time to plant because the soil is still warm, the rains frequent, and being outside is still a pleasure. And on the heels of winter, spring will reward you with strong plants ready to do battle with summer heat and dry spells.
–Carol Kagan, Penn State Extension