A question I was recently asked, and yes, as long as the ground is workable, fall plants, and especially shrubs and trees can be planted! One thing to remember is to water and water and water! Want to get as much water in the soil as possible before the ground freezes. And maybe should wrap if in a western or northern unprotected place to keep the west and north wind from desiccating the plant (sucking the water out of the leaves) It is a little late for the bulbs that need time to start roots, but generally as mild as it has been here in the North East, GO FOR IT!

So many times people can be stuck with schedules, and landscapers are so busy spring through summer and early fall, we sometimes can catch our breath when fall hits hard. But there are so many things to do: putting in more bulbs, raking, mulching, putting burlap or some other wrap around tender plants, wrapping or fencing around young trees for rodent control, and pruning all bushes and trees that do not bloom in the spring (do not want to cut off the future flowers).

Good luck and happy fall, time to get the wood fire stoked up and the hot chocolate started, and don’t forget the marshmallows!

pic from Flickr Creative Commons

I spent all of September in Florida watching Sis’s house and 2 cats, rough duty! (HA!) Had a bay to kayak and swim in, Gulf of Mexico not too far, met new friends, had and great relaxing time.

But I guess the reason I wanted to mention it is the WIDE variety of environments/ecologies we are so lucky to have in this great Nation of ours. Makes my blog mostly a Zone 4 (upper New York as one) areas. I have family in Florida, Zone 9; Arizona,Zones 6,7; and Seattle, Zone 6. So it is even hard for me to make suggestions to my family!

Front yard looking South across Bay to Appaloosa Island