Why Fall is the Best Time to Plant Perennials
This month we’ve covered fall gardening basics, how to plant cool-season veggies and fall planted bulbs. If you’re starting to wonder what you can’t plant in the fall, the answer is almost nothing.
We’re going to help you get a head start on spring by planting perennials in the fall. Perennials, those plants that return each year, provide a low-maintenance way to have a beautiful, colorful garden. Your garden will take on a life of its own as the perennials continue to expand year after year.
While fall is for planting, Al’s Garden Center still has a few tricks that will ensure your plants look their best in that first season.
Plant Fall Perennials in 8 Steps
- Start by preparing the soil. Dig out rocks, weeds and other debris.
- Dig a hole deep enough for the root ball and twice as wide.
- Gently remove plant from pot and gently loosen roots.
- Mix in 3 inches of compost or other organic matter.
- Remove the plant from its pot and loosen roots before planting. Place plant in hole and backfill the hole with a good quality garden soil.
- Water immediately. Cover the planting area with a natural mulch of bark or straw. Mulch keeps soil moist and protects new roots from freezing.
- Finish by adding an organic plant food such as Espoma’s Start!
- Water at least 1 inch per week until the ground freezes. This keeps roots growing and helps plants get established before winter dormancy.
Fall Perennial Plant Picks
- Choose perennials that add color to your garden in early spring such as hellebore and astilbe.
- Plant or transplant spring-blooming power-house shrubs such as rhododendrons and azaleas.
- Choose pollinator friendly plants such as phlox, coneflower and aster. You can plant, divide or transplant.
- Divide and replant hostas and daylilies. Learn more about dividing perennials.
- Peonies should always be planted or transplanted in the fall. Plant 2 inches above the root ball.
- Plant and transplant irises, Asiatic and Oriental lilies.
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Al’s Garden Center is a third generation owned and operated local family business. Established in Woodburn, OR in 1948, Al’s is now the largest full-service independent garden center in the Willamette Valley. Through its three retail stores, Al’s provides an extensive selection of plants, plant care essentials, garden accessories, outdoor furniture and home décor.
