Shrubs and trees are essential to your yard’s overall attractiveness, as they provide year-round visual interest with their foliage, flowers, and even fruit (depending on what type of shrub or tree you have). Of course, trees and shrubs also help improve your home’s outdoor air quality by converting carbon dioxide into oxygen through photosynthesis. But when should you plant shrubs and trees? The answer is now! Learn more about this process below.
Why is Fall Ideal to Plant When Shrubs Are Dormant?
Fall is an ideal time to plant shrubs and trees, as they are dormant during this time of year. This means that they are not actively growing, so you can afford to dig a deep hole and place them inside of it. Also, it’s a good idea to add a layer of mulch on top of the soil in order to deter weed growth over the winter months. You can also take care of any dead or broken branches now before they have the chance to become a problem for your landscaping.
How to Plant Trees and Shrubs in Fall
Dig a hole that’s at least twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so that the top of the root ball is just below ground level. Remove any rocks or roots in the way of your desired planting area before beginning. Loosen up the soil by tilling or hand-digging it. Fill the bottom of the hole with compost, then remove all of the plants from their containers. For bare-root plants, bury them halfway into their original nursery potting mix; for containerized plants, remove them from their pots and place them into their final location in shallow trenches created for that purpose; for small seeds such as tulip bulbs, sow them one inch deep in rows spaced six inches apart. Finish by filling in around plants with loose soil and water thoroughly until dampened but not saturated. Place mulch three to four inches thick over the surface to keep weeds down and control moisture loss. To determine how much mulch you’ll need, estimate how many square feet you will cover. Keep mulch two to four inches away from the trunk to avoid rot. The best time to plant trees and shrubs is when they are dormant during fall months. It’s important to provide good care after planting, including watering regularly and providing annual fertilizer. Planting trees now can help improve the environment and make us happier!
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