If you want your yard to look colorful in the spring, fall is the best time to plant spring bulbs. What few homeowners realize is that fall is also the best time to plant trees and shrubs and move existing plants from one location to another. Before you visit the nearest garden center for supplies, it helps to understand why fall is the ideal time for planting.

What Is the Correct Temperature?

It’s easier to plant new bulbs you purchased from a garden center in the fall because cooler temperatures allow you to do more gardening without overheating or getting sunburnt. Gardeners aren’t the only ones who appreciate cooler temperatures, however. Plant roots thrive in cooler degrees, growing until the soil drops below 45 degrees.  A cooler climate also allows plants and trees to retain more water and nutrients, allowing their roots to become established before winter makes them dormant. Existing plants can be moved for this same reason, experiencing less shock—without the heat spikes and dry periods that are common to summer and spring.  

How Do You Plant Successfully?

There are specific techniques homeowners should follow to guarantee a successful bloom in the spring, especially when it comes to moving plants. First, dig a new hole that is at least twice as wide as the root ball of the plant you’re moving. When digging out the existing plant, dig at least a foot away from the stem to preserve the surface feeder roots. Keep as much of the existing soil attached to the root as possible, and gently place it in the new hole. Fill this with fertile soil, and water it immediately after planting. You can also apply fertilizer from a garden center around the border of the hole to feed the surface roots. Any new bulbs or existing plants will need insulation during the winter, so add mulch around them before the temperatures get too low.

Anyone interested in planting or transplanting flowering bulbs this fall in Butler County, OH, should visit Wilson Garden Center Inc. Landscaping & Tree Service in Hamilton. For more than 30 years, they’ve helped residents meet their landscaping needs through garden supplies and services. Their qualified team can also give you advice and guidance on your landscaping project. Call (513) 863-5831 or visit them online to learn more about their services.