Green Thumb Tuesday: Perennial Planting in the Fall

Conditions for planting perennials is perfect in the fall; the soil is soft and workable and the temperatures are warm. Cool air temperatures minimize transplant shock and wilting. Days are shorter, plants receive less sunshine and less water loss. Many insects have gone dormant for the season. Nurseries have a better perennial selection in the fall and many have fall specials. Planting in the fall helps lessen your work in the spring when there are more garden chores. Perennials planted in the fall will be bigger and give you a better display than perennials planted in the spring. Plants need time to establish before the soil freezes so that roots can grow into the surrounding soil.

Prepare the soil by adding organic matter. Cut back excess foliage and blooms. This helps minimize evaporation. Break the root balls apart to help the roots spread into the surrounding soil. Mulch the surrounding soil. This helps conserve the soil moisture and warmth. After the ground freezes, provide a winter mulch. Evergreen boughs are the best, but shredded leaves can also be used .

Fall is also the best time to divide spring and summer blooming plants. Dividing the plant when it is not flowering allows all the plant energy to go to root and leaf growth. Plants need 4 to 6 weeks to establish before the ground freezes. Do not divide on a hot sunny day. Divide on a cloudy day. Light rain in the forecast is perfect. Most perennials need to be divided every 3-5 years. A few, such as asters and chrysanthemums, may need to be divided every year or two. Fall divided perennials need to be mulched the first winter to prevent heaving, caused by the freezing and thawing of soil. Use evergreen boughs, leaves or pine straw.

WPC has perennial gardens at several sites including Butler, Franklin, Clarion and, in the City of Pittsburgh, sites such as the Point and Liberty Tunnel. Today's photo was taken at our perennial bed in Franklin, Pa.

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