This is the best time of year for transplanting perennials.
The tops of the plants are going dormant and the temperatures are cooling down, so there is less stress on the plants. Also the roots are starting to put out a big surge of growth, so everything you divide and transplant now still has time to get reestablished before winter. Simply dig up a clump of plants and split them into multiple pieces with a sharp digging spade. Use these plants to fill in bare spots, expand your garden or give them to a friend. Mulch the plants and water them twice a week up until mid-November.
Every spring do you say, “I wish I had remembered to plant bulbs last year”? Well, this is the time to get them in the ground. Daffodils are the most dependable bulbs because they will multiply and spread over time. They are also toxic so the deer and rabbits leave them alone. Tulips come in a rainbow of colors, but will need to be replanted at least every 2 years.
If you can’t wait till spring for color, now is the time to plant hardy pansies. Get them in by this weekend to make sure they have time to get established. They will provide some color all through the winter and will even be blooming when it snows! As soon as we have a few warm days in the spring, they will start to grow again and flower heavily into early June.
Peter Murray
President
Hidden Lane Landscaping
Note. Thanks Peter for writing the Fall Gardening tips. Peter and I have worked together on outdoor projects for over 20 years. If you have landscape needs, please give his company a call. They are the best!