Fall is a great time to plant in your landscape. The conditions are just perfect: soil temps are warm so root growth is exceptional, air temps are cooler and we normally get adequate rains this time of the year so watering isn’t as critical. The plants can concentrate on developing roots not having to grow tops and leaves at the same time. All the plant strength goes into the root system so the plant is more established for the coming growing season.

Here are some suggestions that will help you and your plants:

Select well developed plants from your independent nursery where plants are given proper care. Branching should be well balanced. Most shade tree varieties need a “leader” so the tree develops properly. Nipping the side branches back a few inches at planting time will help the tree or shrub become fuller.

When planting your new plants be sure to plant the root ball at the correct depth. More plants grow poorly or are killed by planting too deep, especially in clay soils like we have here in the Miami Valley. Keep the top of the root ball even with the top of the hole or slightly above. Use any excess soil to make a water holding saucer above the root ball level.

After you have dug the hole to the proper depth and just before you set the plant into its new home, examine the roots of the plant. If they appear to be root bound, that is extremely dense, it is a good idea to loosen them or cut into the root ball about an 1 ½ “ with a sharp knife in 4 or 5 locations around the root ball. This will cause the roots to strike out into the new soil that surrounds the roots more quickly. Be sure to mix 1/3 compost or peat moss with the soil that came out of the hole so the roots get off to a good start in improved soil conditions. A root starter or stimulator fertilizer also benefits the new plant to become established.

  4) After the plant is in the hole and the modified backfill mixture, soil from the hole mixed with organic matter, is placed around the roots, we add the diluted starter fertilizer. Be sure the plant is straight and turned with the best side facing toward you before filling the soil around the roots. Once this is completed we need to soak the planted plant by letting the hose run slowly until the hole is filled with water. This soaking removes all the big air pockets and settles the soil around the root ball.

 5) The new plant, in its new home, needs an 1” of rain a week at this time of the year and if we don’t get the rain you will need to provide water that will soak the root area every week until the ground freezes in December or January. You will greatly enhance the growth of this new plant if you follow this watering practice.

Go to meadowview.com or send an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with your question or comments.

31 years of growing

Meadow View Growers

www.meadowview.com

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