Fall Landscapes

When is the best time of the year to plant trees, shrubs and perennials? Should we wait until spring to install our landscape?

These are the most frequently asked questions that we hear during the fall of the year.

One of the best times to consider new landscaping is from September through November; in some years December plantings will have great success as long as the ground is not frozen.

In the fall, days are cooler, rain is more frequent and plants are headed into their dormant or hibernation period putting a lot of their energy into their root system. We can plant successfully any time of the year as long as the ground is not frozen.

Here are some tips to ensure late season survivability:

1 - Water frequently and deeply this time of year as you would any other time of the year with newly installed plants. Hydrating fall plantings will insure that the plants survive the cold, dry winds in winter.

2 - Mulching the plants is important. By insulating the roots with a minimum of a two inch layer of organic mulch will help the plant roots survive the fluctuating warm to cold temperatures during our winters.

3 - Lightly prune plants and remove any broken, dead and weak branches so heavy ice and snow does not damage the plant. Caring for your plants until they have established will give you years of enjoyment.

Retaining walls, Paver Patios and Walkways can be completed any time of the year provided that the ground is not frozen as well.

Don’t postpone that landscape project just because it’s fall. Move forward on landscape installations now and enjoy a vibrant and colorful landscape early next spring.