GARDENING TIPS: WHAT TO PLANT IN THE FALL

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Gardening Tips: What to Plant in the Fall
With its crisp autumn air and beautiful colors, people don't traditionally think of fall as prime planting season. Cooler temperatures and less risk of drought provide an ideal time for landscaping. Trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables are all prime fall planting candidates. Here is an
outline of what varieties fare best and guidelines for planting.

TREES AND SHRUBS

Both trees and shrubs are normally sold in containers or balled and burlapped. Young plants, normally in containers were planted there when their root systems were young. Balled and burlapped trees and shrubs were actually dug from a nursery and may have lost part of their roots in the transition. For this reason, trees and shrubs in containers may have a slight advantage for survival.

If you do purchase a tree or shrub that has been balled, make sure it has been taken care of and is wrapped in its native soil. Some plants that are wrapped in new soil aren't wrapped right enough and the roots dry out during transport. If it is wrapped in its own soil, the wrap is tighter.

When planting remove your tree or shrub from the container, or if bought in burlap, loosen the strings. Pulling it off may remove root. Drop the tree or shrub into the hole and snip away any strings on the burlap. It will rot away over time.

Plant trees and shrubs to its natural soil line. You should be able to see markings on the bark. Dig a hole twice as big as the ball or base of the tree and one and a half times deep. Mix the soil you remove with one part peat moss for every two parts soil. This combination will help the tree maintain oil and leave space for its roots to gain a foothold.

Fill the hole with this mix until it reaches the soil line on the trunk. Water the soil until it is it is damp and use your foot to compact the dirt around the trunk so the soil is solid near the roots. Create a saucer near the bottom to put excess water and cut away any twine that may be remaining. Keep the tree or shrub watered well until it freezes.

Fall is ideal for planting trees and shrubs because it allows the roots to take root before summer heats will dry them out.