KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – FALL PLANTING

KATHY’S HOME & GARDEN TIPS – FALL PLANTING

Fall is a great time for planting a variety of things around the lawn and garden. Trees especially do great planting in the fall. Plants do better establishing themselves in the gentler and cooler weather in the fall. Heat will stress newly planted trees. Most nurseries and home centers will often discount trees in the fall in order not to keep them over the winter. Choose a tree that will complement the space you are planting it. I’ve seen too many times people planting trees too close to their homes or fences. You need to research trees you are interested in. Check out how tall and wide the tree gets as it matures. Place properly for optimal shade benefits.

Planting trees is relatively easy but you need to follow some simple guidelines. The hole should be twice as large as the root ball. The root ball size will be commensurate with the size of the tree or shrub. Throw fresh topsoil and manure in the bottom. Cut the material surrounding the root ball with a razor to help root growth. Fill in the hole with soil and augment with fresh topsoil if needed to mound soil around the base. Make a small trench surrounding the tree or shrub about two or three feet in diameter. This will keep the water around the plant. Water very well soak it thoroughly! Sometimes there will be air pockets after replacing the soil. Watering will settle down this soil. Keep on watering very well until the ground freezes. This will encourage root growth and establish the tree or shrub before winter sets in. When spring comes watch them take off!

KATHLEEN WEAVER-ZECH & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO