Have a Ball Planting this Fall!

Take advantage of the cooler weather and do some of that yard work you've been putting off all summer long! Although Spring is a time when most think about sprucing up their landscapes, Fall is actually the most preferred time to plant, especially September through November! Thus, the slogan "Fall is for Planting" is so appropriate as we enter the Fall Equinox.

Fall is the best time to plant for many reasons!

The heat of summer has passed

The roots of new tree plantings will have time to grow and become stronger, thus when spring comes, the root system is ready to support the tree and its new growth and flowers that will occur.

Minimal watering required

Fall plantings are 80% more successful than spring plantings (We've measured these results since 1986!)

Not to mention the great sales that take place in fall! Plus, at Rutgers Nursery we extend all our warranties until 6/30/11 for all trees and shrubs that you plant!

What else does one plant in the fall? 

Overseeding Lawns
September is the ideal month for over-seeding 'tired' or drought damaged lawns.

Spring Flowering Bulbs
These bulbs are typically the most familiar and looked forward to in early spring! They are daffodils, hyacinth, allium, iris, crocus, fritillaria, and muscari. A good rule of thumb to follow when planting these bulbs is to wait until the nighttime temperatures are consistently between 40°F and 50°F. In most areas, October is a pretty good month to safely plant your fall bulbs. Just be sure to get the bulbs in the ground prior to a severe frost but not too early that they sprout pre-maturely.

Plant Garlic
Fall is the ideal time to plant fresh garlic for harvesting in early summer!  Stay tuned for another post in the coming weeks on how to plant garlic!

Fall Vegetables
Cold crops struggle less with weed control and when compared to the hot and dry summers, fall usually brings an increase in the amount of precipitation, eliminating another time consuming garden chore of irrigating the garden. Some great choices are:
Lettuce
Cauliflower
Leek
Broccoli
Cabbage
Spinach
Turnips
Arugula
Endive

Fall Perennials & Annuals

There's a great selection of colorful plants that can still be added into your perennial and annual beds. Try adding:

Asters
Black Eyed Susans
Autumn Joy Sedum
Pin cushion flower
Joe Pye Weed
Anemone
Toad Lily
Montauk Daisy
Liriope
Great foliage plants such as Coral bells!

Mums
Asters
Pansies
Cabbage & Kale
Ornamental peppers
Millet
Annual Salvia

Now, aren't ya'll excited about planting this fall!