Planting in autumn
Contrary to popular belief, autumn is actually the time of year when you should be doing the most planting. With moisture and warmth still in the soil, plants have the opportunity to put down roots and establish before the winter cold sets in.
Here at Beth's, we try to plan any planting to fit within this autumn window as doing so reduces the need for additional watering. However, sometimes due to other commitments or availability of plants, this isn't always possible and the team have to plant in spring instead- usually around late April.
With our great British climate being as unpredictable as it is, it can be tough planning for the optimum time to plant. Spring brings the greatest fluctuations in rainfall and temperature, often swinging between unseasonal frosts to unexpected heatwaves, with freshly planted areas usually requiring additional coddling! Cold soil results in plants sitting and sulking, refusing to get their roots down into the soil and unable to sustain themselves when warm weather arrives without extra input from us gardeners and the garden hose.
Typically, autumn is more predictable. Temperatures gradually fall but the soil remains warm and rainfall is more plentiful. New additons can take advantage of this warmth in the ground, helping get settled before winter sets in and they enter their phase of dormancy, waiting out the worst of the weather before bursting into life when milder weather arrives, way ahead of any spring planting.
Things to consider before planting:
- Compacted ground to be dug over and broken up to aerate the soil.
- Heavy clay soils to be improved with organic matter.
- Soak plants before planting.
- Avoid planting when the ground is frozen.
Read on: What to Expect When Ordering Plants
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