This is it! The perfect time for planting, when the sun
is shining, the air is cool, the ground is still workable, and winter rains are
on their way. Winter is when most deciduous shrubs and flowering perennials go
dormant. That is, the plants are not creating new stem and leaf growth, they
are at rest, most of their activity is in their root systems. A perfect time to
put a new shrub or herbaceous perennial in the ground. Transplant shock is
milder when the plant is ‘sleeping’. The owner
-that’s you- doesn’t have to water
as vigorously or worry about the brutal heat of summer.
Yes, you should water as soon as you plant, and water
your plant several times in the first two weeks. Right now, November 2 in
Nashville it’s very dry and no forecast for rain, so water for the next couple
of weeks.
What about the cold you say? “It’s too cold for that
sweet little tree.” Nope, the ground is an insulating ‘blanket’ for all the
plants. Just keep it watered if we have dry weeks. Now, your plants in pots…different story…you
should bring them into the house or garage, especially if they are tropicals
(e.g., ‘houseplants).
After you’ve planted your tree/shrub/flower…a little
mulch won’t hurt, but a little goes a long way. Use no more than 3 inches of
mulch on your flower beds and around trees. Repeat after me: “Mulch Volcanoes Kill” - see this link, sweet and simple:
A LOT of mulch is not a good thing. It’s bad. Don’t do
it. Just because ‘they’ do it…doesn’t mean it’s good horticultural practice.
Back to planting:
Plant your spring-blooming bulbs now and into December:
crocus, hyacinth, daffodils, tulips, frittallaria. Yes, the ones at the
Homeowners Depot are just fine, and affordable. Follow the depth planting
instructions. For most bulbs, dig a hole this deep: the diameter of the bulb
times 3. Example: the crocus bulbs are about
½ to 1 inch wide, plant them 2-3 inches below the surface. You don’t need
to water these, they will be fine on their own.
You can still plant pansies, too, and ornamental cabbages
if that’s your thing. Put on a light sweater and enjoy some of Tennessee’ best
weather ever out in your own God’s Little Acre.
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