If you’ve put away your gardening gloves for the year, you might be missing one of the nicest planting seasons we have here in Central Maryland.
Spring gets all the attention. But fall? Cooler days, soil that still holds summer’s warmth, and less intense sunshine make this a wonderful time to plant trees, shrubs, and many hardy perennials. And honestly, digging a hole on a crisp October afternoon is a lot more pleasant than doing it in July.
Give Your Garden a Head Start
As plants slow their growth above ground, their roots can continue growing while the soil remains warm enough. Fall planting gives them a chance to begin settling in before next summer’s heat.
That doesn’t mean you can plant and forget about them—new plants still need careful watering—but it does mean you can take advantage of a gentler season to get them started.
You Can See What Your Garden Needs
By fall, you’ve spent months living with your landscape. You know where you wished you had more shade. You’ve noticed the gap along the fence, the corner that never quite looked finished, or the bed that stopped blooming too soon.
Those observations are valuable. This is your chance to plant with a purpose.
Perhaps it’s a tree that will shade your favorite sitting spot, shrubs that will soften a view, or a few perennials that will bring color back to a quiet corner. You don’t need to redo the entire yard. Sometimes one thoughtful addition makes all the difference.
Think Beyond Fall Color
When choosing plants, consider what they’ll bring to your garden throughout the year. Beautiful bark, berries, evergreen foliage, spring flowers, and interesting branching can all give you something to enjoy beyond a single season.
And don’t forget spring-flowering bulbs! Daffodils, tulips, and alliums are little investments in next year’s joy. Plant them this fall, and you’ll be glad you did when those first shoots appear.
A Few Simple Steps Make a Difference
Give your new plants a good start:
- Choose a plant suited to your sunlight, soil, and available space.
- Dig a hole wider than the root ball, keeping the plant at the proper depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting, then check the root ball regularly. Cool weather doesn’t always mean moist soil.
- Add mulch to help hold moisture and moderate soil temperatures, keeping it away from trunks and plant crowns.
Timing still matters. Some plants need more time to establish before winter, and not every perennial is equally suited to late planting. We’re happy to help you choose what makes sense for your garden right now.
Don’t Wait for Another Spring
That garden project you’ve been thinking about all summer? There’s still an opportunity to move it forward.
Stop by D.R. Snell Nursery with a few photos of your space and tell us what you’d love to change. Whether you’re planting one tree or filling out an entire bed, we’ll help you find plants that fit—and explain how to give them a good start.
Your garden may be slowing down, but the planting season isn’t over. Pull those gloves back out. There’s still something wonderful to grow.
