Yes, Ohio, There is a Planting Season (in fall)

Almost every homeowner I work with asks the same question: Is it OK to plant in the fall? For whatever reason, fall is my firm’s busy season for residential work and very often these clients are keen to get everything in the ground before the snow flies. But their trepidation over leaving young plants to brave Northeast Ohio’s brutal winters is understandable.

So, typically they are pretty relieved when I tell them that, yes, they can plan to install most everything this year. But there are a number of considerations I like to warn them about, as well:

1. Nursery stock. At the end of the growing season, it can be harder to find the specific plant species we spent so much time vetting. Retail garden centers, especially, are making way for pumpkins and Christmas trees and therefore the DIY gardener might have to wait until spring for some plants.

2. Contractor availability. If the homeowner is planning to hire out the work, it might be difficult to find a landscaping company with room in their schedule to do it. Many like to have their dockets full for installs well into November, or however late the warm-ish weather will last.

3. Soil temperature. Surprisingly, cold air is less damaging to plants than most people think. It's the roots that need to stay warm. And, because soils tend to be warmer in the fall than in the summer, autumn is an excellent time to let roots get established in their new home. But once the ground freezes, it’s best to wait until spring to install. Therefore, for planning purposes, try to schedule the work for a good six weeks before that deep freeze is anticipated to set in.

4. Not every plant. Trees and shrubs will likely do well, as will most perennials, particularly those that are early spring bloomers. In fact, those spring blooms will be prolific if the plant is emerging from well-established roots. However, some plants are indeed very sensitive to the cold and should really be planted in the warmer season. A good rule of thumb for determining if a plant is suited for fall planting is evaluating its cold hardiness; choose plants that are hardy up to at least one USDA plant hardiness zone lower than the one you’re in.

5. Maintenance. Even though plants need less water in the fall, it’s still important to provide roots with ample water, particularly right after transplantation which can dry them out. Water new plants regularly—once a week or so—until winter arrives.

A great deal of planning goes into developing a new, or semi-new, landscape, especially if the changing seasons are a factor—which is almost always the case in Ohio. Now might be the time to secure plants and a contractor, or to consider whether winter will be a good time to just stay warm and finalize your vision for next year’s garden.