6 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Benken Poinsettias
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Planting in Fall:
Why we’re big believers in getting your trees and perennials in the ground now.
It’s easy to get discouraged by a soggy spring and a summer that took scorched earth to a new level. But fall is our chance to make things right in the yard and garden. And we’re ready for a second chance at erasing summer stress and creating a space we love.
The first official day of fall normally falls on September 22 or September 23 (very rarely on September 21 or 24) and we’re here for it! Fall has a way of bringing things into focus and making us feel productive.
Here’s why we’re using autumn energy to plant and some of the reasons it’s so rewarding:
IDEAL CONDITIONS
Fall normally brings an increase in rainfall, cooler temps and shorter days, less stress for your plants and a need for less watering—all favorable conditions for planting.
QUICK FIXES
We’ve all got them: areas in our yard that defy an easy fix. Especially after a brutally hot summer.
In fall, you can evaluate the gaps in your landscape, what didn’t make it through the heat, where you’re missing something, or maybe you want to transform an annual area with lower-maintenance perennials.
PERFECT TIMING
Did you know plants are not in an active growing phase in fall? Which means they can devote all their nutrients and energy to establishing strong root systems and be even healthier come spring. We also recommend a dose of Espoma Bio-Tone Plant Starter to give your trees and shrubs a little extra support before the first freeze. You can just add after you’ve dug your hole to plant.
HANG UP YOUR HOSE (mostly)
It’s cooler and there’s more moisture in fall, so you won’t have to have your hose permanently parked at the base of your plants.
A good rule of thumb is to be sure your newly planted material receives a good deep rain or watering weekly. We suggest running the hose at a slow trickle for about 20 minutes if it doesn’t rain. Our hardwood mulch is a great way to conserve moisture and protect against the ravages of winter.
TRUE COLORS…AND TEXTURES
Planting in fall allows you to appreciate your trees, shrubs and perennials for their true colors. Making your selections now gives you a living color example of what you can look forward to year after year.
One of our favorite things to plant in fall—because they’re at their very best—is ornamental grasses. They add form, texture, color and really beautiful movement to your landscape. They also add year-round interest with early summer sprouts, rapid summer growth, swaying stalks and showy flower heads well into fall and visual texture, shelter and seed heads for wildlife throughout winter.
Enjoy the season for all its change and chill and let us know if you tackle any planting projects. We’re here with friendly advice on choosing the right plants for the right place, and helping you keep them looking as good (or better) as the day you brought them home.
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