Fall Planting Tips

When fall arrives, every year we have the discussion with customers about the benefits of fall planting.  Since the mailing list for our newsletter has increased so significantly over the past year I feel I can once again get on my ‘herbal soapbox’ about how beneficial fall planting can be for hardy perennials.

My favorite word for soil preparation is compost.  If you have attended any of my classes or workshops you know I will find a way to include that word at least once!   The use of compost in soil preparation is critical for planting, particularly for fall planting.   This will assure that the soils are well drained.  For new  beds add 3 to 6 inches of compost to the top foot of soil and work it in evenly.  For established beds where you are adding plant material be sure to top dress with compost for 3 to 6 inches around the root zone.  Mixing in slow release all purpose organic fertilizer will also help establish the root system during the fall and early winter.  

In addition to adding compost, for plants that require extra care with drainage it is a great idea to plant on top of a small mound, perhaps 3 to 4 inches higher than the surrounding soil.  I would always plant Salvia officinalis and all lavenders on a mound, as well as other extremely drought tolerant plants such as many native sages. If you want to add inorganic material, such as rocks, to increase drainage, be sure to use sharp rock with very little fines (like sand).  For some types of herbs, such as caper plants, or some of the native sages, growing in rock is preferable.

How long can you transplant in the fall?  For evergreen perennials and trees such as rosemary, bay laurel and lavender, planting can happen pretty much year round in California’s Central Valley and throughout the Bay Area.   The root systems never go completely dormant so planting anytime in the fall will assure a root system that will have grown in and will be ready for the spring flush of growth.  In the colder areas of California most evergreen perennials should be planted by mid October.  

Planting herbaceous perennials in September and early October will assure that root systems have a chance to grow a new foundation before plants die back in the late fall.   It is great to select deciduous trees in the fall when you have a chance to see their individual fall color, and these trees can easily be planted even when they are completely dormant in the winter.  And for many fruit and nut trees planting them while they are dormant is definitely the best time to get successful transplanting.

Early fall is also a great time to plant your fall and winter vegetable garden.  Seed of lettuces, chard and spinach can be direct sown in Sept and early October, or plant starts can be planted Throughout September and into October transplant cool weather vegetable transplants such as broccoli, kale, chard and cauliflower. Plant radishes, beets, carrots and peas from seed. Put in biennial and perennial herbs, such as chives, Greek oregano, parsley, marjoram, winter savory, and thyme. 

Keep an eye on watering during the fall, since plants will need deep watering until the rainy season begins.  In the fall the soil remain warm but there is much less stress on plants – the sun sits lower in the sky and days are shorter so plants don’t lose as much water.  Starting plants early on with deep, infrequent watering now will train the root system to grow deeply.

So, I want to tell all of the customers who come in to the nursery, or who are out in their yards right now thinking about waiting until spring for planting, that fall is the best time to plant!  For so many perennials, planting in the fall gains almost a full year of growth, so that in spring plant growth and flowering can occur without the roots having to become established.  Also, fall and winter are a great time to take advantage of free water, coming in the form of rain.