Utah's First
Family Nursery
Myths about planting in the fall:
These are a few myths we want to bust about planting trees and shrubs this time of year. They aren’t true! Fall is one of the BEST times of year to get those beauties in the ground. We are going to share the nitty gritty of why with you right here, right now.
The leaves, yes, will be falling off deciduous trees and shrubs over the next month or two. But your plant is still alive. In fact, Trees and Shrubs do 80% of their rooting in the fall! 80%!!! 
All that energy that had been going into keeping those leaves green and strong is now being directed into the root systems.
Planting new items in the fall, with proper watering techniques, ensures that you are giving the best possible focus on establishing those new plants faster. And because the plants are focused on rooting they will have stronger and deeper roots. Come spring, the leaves will be back – better, stronger and faster for having given the roots some focused time to proliferate.
While you can plant any time of year, and spring is a great time to do so, we highly recommend planting in the fall. New plants focus their energy into the root system rather than the leaves. This means they will establish themselves more quickly in the fall. There are some key advantages to planting in each season, in spring the variety and size options tend to be greater, though we do bring in truckloads of fresh product specifically for fall planting.
Why do we do this? Well, we love our customers. We love having a huge selection year-round for our beloved customers. And, we LOVE helping give these beautiful plants the best possible start to their new life in your yard (and as we mentioned they do 80% of their rooting in the fall, so…..it’s a win-win-win, major, jumbo, love-fest for us all).
The shape of the tree with or without the leaves on it is going to change, drastically so, over the next few years. No matter what size tree you buy now, the canopy will develop, branch out and expand. The full-grown, mature shape of a tree (or shrub) will always be how the tree will grow, but the tree you buy today will not be the same in a year – it will literally branch out.
We find that choosing the tree without leaves better allows you to select a tree with strong structure and balanced branching. This bare bones beauty will only be enhanced when the leaves come on in spring. And, the faster it establishes a strong, healthy root system, the faster it will grow those leaves. (we are noticing a theme here now, aren’t we? Spring=flowers, Fall=rooting powers)
Is it though? Unless the ground is frozen and you can’t dig a hole, you can still plant a tree or shrub. If you are able to dig up the soil, those roots will be able to grow into the soil. And, maybe this is TMI, but I sure do prefer all that sweaty work when the temps are lower. Actually, I have my brothers do it for me because they are the best….but, even still, cooler weather makes them happier to help.
There really isn’t a reason to let the cooler weather stop you from planting. Unless, that is, you just do not like being outside if it dips below 60 degrees. In which case, we raise our cup of hot cocoa to you. We will be here in the summer when you are ready to be outdoors again.
Winter watering is a concern. Many people think that snow melt is enough to water trees and shrubs, but it really isn’t. That soft, fluffy snow melts down into very little water and does not reach those roots. Unless we have another winter like 2022/2023, you will need to have a plan for winter watering.
It’s important to remember that the ground does not stay frozen all the time, it thaws and refreezes throughout the season. When it thaws, those little roots are active and searching for a water source. Even trees you planted in early spring of this year will still need winter watering - a little snow melt won’t do the trick.
Turning your sprinklers on in winter isn’t necessary, in fact it is detrimental. However, getting some deep soaking into those roots at least once a month is imperative. If you don’t want to hook up your hose in winter, there is a great trick that Rod Glover recommends: dump a few tumblerfuls of ice around the root zone – this way, when it does thaw enough to melt, the ice will water the tree at the exact right time. And, most folks have ice makers that keep those glossy cubes coming all day, so it takes barely any time or effort.
SO, there you have it. Myth-busting complete. Combine this with Ryan's video on water saving techniques, pop in some gorgeous fall blooming perennials, and you have the powerful formula for true fall gardening success.
And, as always, we are here to help with any questions you may have.
See you soon!
How Planting Trees Affects Air Quality
It’s Planting Time: Start Seeding Indoors!
A lot of people think that you can't plant in the summer/early fall. We have a lot of people ask us is it safe to plant in the heat? Can I still plant? The answer is yes you can! And, you can be very successful. As Ryan Glover likes to say, "if you can dig, you can plant." If you like to dig in the late summer/early fall then why not add some instant shade?
All of the plants and trees we have in the nursery are ready to plant. If you're looking to add a few more trees and shrubs to your yard for some cooling shade, now is a great time to do it. You will want to keep in mind Ryan's 5 tips for planting in the heat.
Learn more about watering techniques here....Remember slow, deep watering is best to give your new plants a great start.
Garden Plant Helleborus: The First Blooms of Spring
This is the time of year that the golds, oranges, yellows, reds, purples and everything in between make their spectacular debut. Did you see this amazing footage of Ogden Valley made by Justin McFarland? In 60 seconds he captures everything we love about fall.
And, if the colors of the changing season aren't enough, we get the brilliant pansies, mums, coneflower, hydrangea, and so many more fall flowers that bloom right up to winter.
Add in the cooler temperatures to make being outdoors even more enjoyable, and you have a delightful combo that just won't quit!
I know, I know your first thought is "What the heck, isn't it time to sit back and relax in the garden, what do you mean think about next year?" Well, as things are winding down for the season, it is the perfect time to evaluate where your needs are and do a bit of pre-planning for next year.
- Was there an area that had too much sun and you'd like some shade next year?
- Did you want to put in a water feature, but just couldn't figure out the best way to go about it?
- Is it time to move out the old swing-set and you have no idea what to put in it's place?
It's a great time to think about design elements as you won't feel any pressure to hurry up and do it in the spring - you can take time to really evaluate what you want, and, what you need. Plus, if you want help with ideas, design experts usually have openings in their calendars for consultations...which means, more attention is available to give your project. Our design team has some of the best in the business, you can submit a request here to get started.
Hopefully you are taking advantage of the season, relaxing in your yard and enjoying all the fruits of your labor.
If there is a small area that needs a pop of color or a place where you'd really like to add something for texture, it's a great time to plant. Trees and shrubs establish well this time of year as they are focusing their energy on root growth. The cooler temperatures help to prevent transplant shock...and, let's be honest, it's much nicer to dig when the sun isn't giving us 100 degree days, isn't it?
There is always something to do in the garden, planting, trimming, mulching, picking berries or pulling carrots - our garden is the gift that keeps on giving.
If you have any questions or need any help, we are always here and ready to assist.
Updates, Sales, and Gardening Tips
9275 S. 1300 W. West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: (801) 562-5496
Fax: (801) 562-5595
Email: [email protected]
Updates, Sales, and Gardening Tips
