Fall is for Planting!

Spring is for planting—wait, no! Fall is actually the best time for planting. As we look forward to warm, sunny spring days and see everyone in the neighborhood tending to their yards, we all get that urge to dig in. While it’s normal to feel excited about spring planting (and we do see a rush at the nursery then), fall is probably the better time to plant shrubs, trees, and perennials.

There are several reasons why fall is the ultimate planting season in Texas. In most parts of the country, spring is preferred due to cold weather stress, but our stressful period usually comes during the hot, dry summers. Spring is the time for annuals, hanging baskets, and pots, while fall is ideal for the more permanent members of our gardens.

The primary reason for this is that planting in the fall allows plants the most time to develop their root systems before summer's heat arrives. Roots remain active until the soil temperature drops to around 55 degrees Fahrenheit, and our soils spend very little time below that temperature. This means that roots can continue to grow throughout the winter. The flush of new growth we see in spring is a direct reflection of the root development that occurs during the winter months. When spring arrives, the plant is ready to rebalance itself and add more energy-producing leaves because its roots have already established a strong foundation.

Additionally, fall plantings help the plant better manage its balance based on climatic conditions. It can adjust its leaf area to match its root system. A plant coming from a grower’s environment with high humidity and ample water is suddenly placed in a warming, drier climate in our yards. It has little time to regain its leaf-to-root balance, which can lead to stress.

There’s an old saying: “The best time to plant a tree is today.” While that’s true in some respects—meaning don’t delay if you can care for it—the optimum time for planting our more permanent members is in the fall and early winter. So let’s make a plan and get to planting!