Why Autumn is the Best Time for Planting Shrubs

Planting shrubs in the fall has several advantages. Shrubs planted in the fall use the carbohydrates produced during the previous growing season for root growth. Cooler air temperatures during the fall give freshly planted trees and shrubs a better chance to develop healthier root systems more rapidly than those planted in hotter months. Still-warm soil promotes good root growth. Cool weather eliminates the threat of heat stress on new plants. Increased rains help plants establish stronger root systems before winter. Many pests and diseases that plague gardens in spring and summer aren’t as big of a threat in fall.

The cooler temperatures of fall are an invitation to leave the blast-chiller air conditioning behind, and step outside and enjoy that certain crispness that characterizes autumn. And while you’re out there, why not install a few shrubs into your landscape? As with trees, autumn is generally considered to be the best time to plant ornamental bushes.

It’s also important to consider the cost of acquiring new shrubs and bushes. Generally, shrubs are going to be available at a discount in the autumn, as nurseries try to sell them rather than having to discard them or store them in a greenhouse. If you need to put in quite a few new shrubs, such as if you are revamping the landscaping or just have a lot of holes to fill, being able to purchase the bushes at a discount is a significant benefit.

By planting shrubs and bushes in the fall, you can take advantage of cooler air temperatures, which helps give the plants time to establish themselves. They aren’t stressed by the heat of summer right away after you put them in. Typically, when the air temperatures are cooler than temperatures under the ground, it encourages root growth in plants, strengthening the bushes and shrubs.

Autumn often has more consistent rain than what happens in the summer, and the cooling soil can hold onto its moisture better than the evaporation that occurs faster in hot summer weather. This means you don’t have to water the new bushes as often as you might if you plant in the late spring or summer. You also have fewer insects to worry about in the fall, leaving the shrubs and bushes free from these external damages that could affect their health.

Multiple other benefits exist, too, such as having a better feel for what areas of your landscaping and garden need a boost from new shrubs. You are coming directly off the growing season, so it’s easy to remember which areas had bare spots or struggling plants where new growth will be a welcome addition. Additionally, you can spend the time necessary to care for the bushes in the fall versus trying to care for them during the spring when dozens of items need your attention in the yard and garden.

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