Fall is for Planting!

You don't have to wait until spring, there is still plenty of time to plant in fall. 

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Why Plant in Fall?

We mostly think of getting our plants in the ground in spring and summer; however, there are so many benefits to planting in fall. 

Plant Stress

Even though temperatures are cooler, the soil temperature is still warm. This encourages root growth instead of foliage growth. Cooler nights, warm days, and more consistent precipitation create the perfect conditions for your plants.

Pests and Weeds

Planting at the end of the season is also great for pest and weed reduction. Weeds are less aggressive, which means less competition for your plant. Pests and diseases are starting to shut down for the season as well so there is a smaller chance of your plant becoming infected with pathogens.

Head Start

By planting in fall, your plants will also have a head start in spring since you don’t have to wait for the ground to thaw. The plants kick start with the natural spring warmup, put on new growth, and require less water due to their fall establishment and the existing ground water.

After planting, water deeply and do not allow plants to dry out, ensuring the root zone is moist before the ground freezes. Mulching well helps maintain moisture and the warmth of the day.

Now, the next question may be how late can I really plant. Don't worry so much about a frost, the ground can still be warm. Plant 4 weeks before the ground freezes. In Fargo, although every year can be very different, the average hard frost tends to be early to mid-October and the average ground freeze-up tends to be early November.

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