When Is the Best Time to Plant and Care for Fall Perennials?

If your green thumbs have been itching to plant perennials, you may be wondering if it’s too late to add some additional color to your garden. After all, summer is officially coming to an end and cooler temperatures have already started making their way into many U.S. gardens across the country.

Fortunately, if you’re among the 53% of people who feel productive when gardening, you still have time to introduce new perennials to your garden without sacrificing any blooms to the first frost. Here’s what you need to know about planting fall perennials and how to take care of them.

Plant as Early as Possible

It’s best to plant your fall perennials about six weeks before the ground freezes. Of course, depending on where you live, it can be tricky to figure out when exactly the first frost will be. In certain areas of the states, the ground may freeze as early as Halloween. That said,
it’s best to plant your fall perennials as early as possible, typically between September and mid-October.

It’s best to plant spring-blooming perennials in the early fall because the soil is warmer than it is in the spring. This gives plants with bare roots the ability to properly ground themselves in the soil before winter arrives so you don’t have to worry about your latest plants being blown away in the harsh winter wind. By the time spring arrives next year, your perennials will start growing again.

It’s also a good idea to plant your fall perennials as early as possible because you’re able to take stock of your garden’s progress in the late summer. You can tell which parts of your garden could use more ground cover and which ones could use more colorful blooms.

Water and Mulch with Care

When you’re planting your perennials, it’s important to water your plants thoroughly during their first week in the ground. The roots need to completely soak up water to give them the energy they need to stand firm in their new soil. However, as the days get cooler, you’ll only want to water your perennial flowers approximately once per week until the soil freezes. This is because the sun’s lower angle and the shorter days keep your plants from needing as much water.

While mulching can be great for plants, you don’t need to mulch your newly transplanted perennials immediately. Instead, you’ll want to wait until the weather starts to be consistently on the cooler side. Apply mulch around your perennials and annuals when temperatures at night consistently drop below 30 degrees. The mulch will help your flowers keep warm.

Online-Curbside Ordering

Need online ordering for garden supplies or curbside ordering for fall perennials, mums, and Halloween decorations? Schwartz Greenhouse has you covered. Our greenhouse offers online ordering for greenhouse curbside pick up, as well as in-person shopping, so you can find all the supplies you need to keep your garden in great shape. For more information, contact Schwartz Greenhouse today.