Fall Planting on Long Island: Why October Is a Great Time to Plant Trees & Shrubs
When the temperatures begin to cool and summer flowers start to fade, you may think another gardening season is coming to an end. But here on Long Island, fall can be an excellent time to get back into the garden—especially if trees and shrubs are on your landscaping wish list.
October’s cooler weather gives you an opportunity to add new plants to your landscape without the intense heat and stress of summer.
Whether you’re adding privacy, replacing an old shrub, creating a new foundation planting or simply bringing more color and interest to your yard, don’t put away the shovel just yet.
Why Plant Trees and Shrubs in the Fall?
One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is the cooler weather.
During the heat of summer, newly planted trees and shrubs have to contend with high temperatures while they’re also trying to establish themselves in a new location. Cooler fall temperatures can reduce that heat stress while the soil still retains warmth from summer.
That gives newly planted trees and shrubs an opportunity to begin establishing their root systems before winter.
Come spring, those plants have already had time to settle into their new home and can focus their energy on the new growing season.
Fall Is Also a Great Time to Look at Your Landscape
After spending an entire spring and summer outdoors, October is a good time to take another look at your yard.
Where could you use more privacy?
Is there an empty area that needs a focal point?
Are your foundation plantings overgrown or outdated?
Would you like more spring flowers or fall color?
Do you have an area that needs more year-round interest?
Thinking about those questions now can help you choose trees and shrubs that do more than simply fill an empty spot. The right plants can add structure, seasonal color, flowers, screening and interest to your landscape for years to come.
Choosing the Right Plant for the Right Place
Before falling in love with a tree or shrub, take a good look at where you’re planning to put it.
Consider:
Sunlight: Does the area receive full sun, partial sun or mostly shade?
Mature size: How tall and wide will the plant eventually become?
Purpose: Are you looking for privacy, flowers, fall color, a foundation plant, a focal point or something else?
Soil and drainage: Does the area drain quickly, stay consistently moist or tend to hold water?
Available space: Give your new plant enough room to reach its mature size without crowding walkways, structures or neighboring plants.
Choosing a plant suited to the conditions you already have can make maintaining your landscape much easier in the future.
Don’t Forget to Water Fall Plantings
Cooler weather doesn’t mean new plants no longer need water.
Newly planted trees and shrubs still need consistent moisture as they begin establishing their root systems. Pay attention to rainfall and soil moisture rather than assuming cool temperatures are enough.
A layer of mulch around the planting area can also help conserve soil moisture and moderate soil temperatures.
Keep mulch around the plant’s root zone, but avoid piling it directly against the trunk or stems.
When choosing new trees and shrubs, think beyond what they’ll look like next spring.
Plants can bring interest to your landscape throughout multiple seasons. Depending on the variety, you can incorporate:
• Different textures, heights and shapes
A landscape designed with multiple seasons in mind gives you something to enjoy throughout much more of the year.
At The Dees’ Nursery, quality means success in the garden.
Our nursery offers a hand-selected assortment of annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, with many varieties sourced locally here on Long Island. We carefully select our live goods with quality in mind so they’re prepared to make the transition from our nursery yard to yours.
Not sure what will work in your landscape?
Bring us your questions. Our knowledgeable team and trained horticulturists can help you consider your growing conditions, available space and landscaping goals so you can make a more informed choice for your yard.
Fall isn’t the end of gardening season. It may be the perfect opportunity to plant something you’ll enjoy for years to come.