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Show If you find that spring offers non-stop inspiration to plant, that's understandable. understand-able. During those months you witness daily the explosion of color and perfume of that rich season. But don"t sell fall short as a good time to plant. If you do, you'll miss some excellent advantages. Fall's cool climate and wealth of rain create excellent conditions for providing a healthy beginning to new plantings. And, says the American Association of Nurserymen, these newly added plants will have a chance to grow stronger as they develop through the spring that puts them in good shape to handle the stresses of summer. Give such major investments as trees and shrubs a healthy start by planting them in the fall. That way they'll gain an extra growing season. Fall planting also will enhance the performance of herbaceous herba-ceous perennials and biennials. Though the climate will become considerably con-siderably cooler in mid-fall, the soil will experience only slow heat loss. In fact, even as winter progresses, soil temperatures tempera-tures likely will remain above 40 degrees F, which is vital for root growth. To further retain warmth, layer beds with two to three inches of mulah. Fall planting has never been easier, with the wide range of container-grown plants and large balled and burlapped trees and shrubs that are now available. Take advantage of early planting to give plants maximum lead time to become established and sturdy enough to handle cold weather. Early planting is a must for broad- and narrow-leaf evergreens, particularly in areas that suffer harsh winters. Without the needed growth and development, they may become damaged beyond repair. re-pair. You can't pick a better time to seed or sod the lawn than fall. In areas where cool-season grasses such as blue grass thrive, early planting gives the grasses three cool seasons to become hardy before be-fore summer. Also crucial: Take the opportunity during the fall to plant bulbs. Fall and winter keep the soil moist, which stimulates stimu-lates the growth of the tiny flowers inside the bulbs. |
