Quick answers to the questions gardeners ask most about fall planting.
Why is fall the best time to plant trees and shrubs?
Soil stays warm after air temperatures drop, so roots keep growing while cool air and autumn rain reduce stress on the plant. By spring, a fall-planted tree or shrub already has a season of root growth and can put its energy into leaves and flowers.
How late in the fall can I plant?
Aim to plant about six weeks before the ground freezes. Hardy container-grown plants can usually go in later, as long as the soil can still be dug, but water them well and mulch them.
Can I plant after the first frost?
Yes. A light frost affects the air, not the soil. Roots can keep growing as long as the soil stays above roughly 40°F, which often lasts weeks after the first frost.
Should I fertilize trees and shrubs planted in fall?
Generally no. Consistent watering matters much more than fertilizer during the first year, and nitrogen fertilizer at planting can push tender growth before winter. Use a soil test to decide if anything is needed later.
How often should I water new plants in fall?
Check the root ball weekly and water whenever the top 2–3 inches are dry, until the ground freezes. Newly planted trees need about 1–1.5 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per watering. See our aftercare page for the full schedule.
Which plants should I not plant in fall?
In cold-winter regions, slow-rooting species such as oak, birch, beech, magnolia, ginkgo, tulip tree, sweetgum, dogwood, rhododendron and azalea are often better planted in spring. Warm-season lawns should also be planted in late spring or summer.
Is fall a good time to plant evergreens?
Yes, but plant them early in the fall season (late August through September in cold climates) and water them deeply until the ground freezes, because evergreens keep losing moisture through their needles all winter.
Should I add compost or peat moss to the planting hole?
Current research-based advice is to backfill with the native soil you dug out. Heavily amended holes can keep roots from growing into the surrounding soil. If your soil is poor, improve the whole bed or top-dress with compost and mulch.
How deep should I plant a tree?
No deeper than it grew in the nursery. The root flare, where the trunk widens into roots, should sit at or slightly above the surrounding soil. Dig the hole two to three times as wide as the root ball but no deeper.
When should I plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils?
Once soil cools below about 60°F, usually September–October in cold climates, October–November in moderate climates, and November–December in mild climates, where tulips may need pre-chilling.
How much mulch should I use?
Spread 2–4 inches of wood chips or shredded bark over the planting area and keep it several inches away from trunks and stems. Never pile mulch against bark.
Is fall a good time to prune?
Mid-to-late fall after leaf drop is good for removing dead, damaged or crossing branches and for structural pruning. Don’t prune spring-flowering shrubs such as lilac, forsythia and azalea in fall, because you’ll remove next spring’s flower buds.
Want more detail? Start with why fall planting works or jump to how to plant.