When to Plant

Many people argue that spring is the best time to plant.  Others insist fall is better.  Actually, both seasons are excellent and any time you can get your shovel into the ground is acceptable.

Spring is usually when the largest majority of nursery stock is sold.  One main reason is probably that after our long, cold winters people are anxious to get outdoors and start sprucing up their yards.   Spring has traditionally been the season that promotes planting.

Summer can also be a fine time to plant as long as the stock that you are planting is growing in a container.  Most varieties of trees and shrubs will probably die if they are dug out of the ground form mid-May through August, but shrubs planted from containers have almost no transplant shock.  Be sure to water thoroughly after planting.  If you are planning length vacation of a week or more, you will want to line up someone to water a couple of times a week while you are gone to keep your plants healthy.

Fall is also an excellent time to plant.  Soil temperatures are warm and promote good root development.  Rains are normally more frequent and the air temperature is cooler.  Some trees such as Poplar, Oak and certain Maples varieties are best to be planted in the spring.

Planting lawns in the early fall is usually better than spring for you have two good growing seasons for you grass to become established before the hot summer days arrive.

So the next time someone ask you when is the best time to plant, tell them anytime you can get a shovel in the ground and water out of the faucet.