Fall is the best time to plant trees and shrubs.
Warm soil, cool air and autumn rain give new plants months of root growth before summer heat arrives. Learn why fall planting works, when to plant where you live, and how to do it right.
Four reasons plants establish better in fall
Most people shop for plants in spring. But for trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials, the weeks after summer’s heat breaks are usually a better start.
Warm soil, cool air
Soil stays warm long after air temperatures drop, so roots keep growing while the top of the plant slows down. Cooler days mean less stress and less water loss through leaves.
Autumn rain
In much of the country fall brings more regular rain than late spring and summer, making it easier to keep a new root ball evenly moist.
Roots grow into winter
Roots can keep growing as long as the soil stays above roughly 40°F, often into early winter, even after the plant looks dormant above ground.
A stronger spring
A fall-planted shrub wakes up with roots already in place, so it can put its energy into leaves and flowers instead of doing both at once.
The six-week rule
The best fall planting window is from the time summer heat breaks until about six weeks before the ground freezes. That gives roots time to grow into the surrounding soil before winter.
Depending on where you live, that could mean late August in the northern states, September through November in the Pacific Northwest and mid-latitudes, or October through January across the South.
Find your planting window
Everything you need to plant this fall
How to plant a tree or shrub
Dig the right hole, set the root flare at grade, and backfill the way arborists recommend.
Step by step →
What to plant in fall
Trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials and lawns that thrive when planted in autumn, and the few that should wait.
See the lists →
Planting spring bulbs
Tulips, daffodils and crocus need cool fall soil to root. Here’s when and how deep to plant.
Bulb guide →
Watering & mulching
How much water new plants need, how long to keep it up, and how to mulch without harming trunks.
Aftercare →
Fall pruning
What to prune after leaves drop, and which spring bloomers to leave alone.
Pruning guide →Fall planting FAQ
Quick answers: Is it too late? Should I fertilize? What about frost?
Get answers →Fall planting at a glance
Soil temperature above which roots can keep growing
Plant at least this long before the ground freezes
Mulch depth, kept a few inches away from trunks and stems
Planting hole width compared with the root ball
Common questions
Is fall really better than spring for planting?
For most hardy trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials, yes. Fall-planted roots grow in warm, moist soil without having to support new leaves and flowers at the same time, and they face their first summer with months of growth behind them. A few species do better planted in spring. See the list.
Is it too late to plant after the first frost?
Usually not. A light frost only affects the air and leaves. What matters is soil temperature. If you can still dig and the ground isn’t frozen, hardy container plants can generally still go in. Just plan to water them until the ground freezes.
Should I fertilize new plants in fall?
Generally no. Extension specialists recommend consistent watering over fertilizer during the first year. Skip high-nitrogen feeding at planting; it can push soft new growth right before winter.
Find fall-ready plants
Means Nursery grows trees, shrubs and evergreens in Scappoose, Oregon, and has served gardeners and landscapers for decades.