Quick question regarding planting in the Fall

11 years ago

I'm going to be planting my first bush this fall. I know this is the Tree forum but my question isn't about the Forsythia Lynwood Gold bush, it's about planting in the fall in general.

Forgive my ignorance here, but when is the best time to plant in Zone 5b/6a? Is it when the maples that surround me are completely dormant, or when their leaves start to change color?

And what about watering? I'm watering twice a week now, but I don't know how much to water in the fall, in terms of a dormant bush that has just been planted. It must be stressful for the bush so I would think it would need lots of water in my sandy loam soil....

I'm sure I'm over thinking this, but I want to do things right. If you plant in the fall, how often do you water, and for how long do you water a bush? Oh, and the bush will only be 1-2 ft tall, just a babe.

Thanks!

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Comments (7)

brandon7 TN_zone7
11 years ago
It's not important to consider whether other plants are dormant, but, if the plant being planted is dormant, that's often better (less stressful for the plant). In your area (high zone 5 / low zone 6), you may not want to wait until too late in the year to plant. I wouldn't hesitate to plant as soon as the hottest summer months are over, so dormancy is not at all a necessity for most trees/shrubs.

I would continue to monitor soil moisture in the fall just as I would in spring or summer. Water frequency may change, but the need for knowing what's going on with soil moisture doesn't.

Here is a link that might be useful: Planting a Tree or Shrub
wisconsitom
11 years ago
Especially in that this is very unlikely to be a bare root plant, agree with Brandon. Sept, Oct. somewhere in there. Not super-critical.

Water as for any new planting...as much as is necessary to keep the soil moist. If rainy, probably not at all. If this confounded drought/heat combo continues into the fall, about like you're doing now.

+oM
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I just thought Conifers required different, or rather more, care, than the easy breezy trees I've planted. ==>>> NOPE you need a 6 weeks of the ground not being frozen for planting in the fall to be successful. I don't know when that happens around here. == ok .. here in MI ... this is how it goes down.. you have to be very similar ... leaves turn color in oct ... when that happens.. trees.. ALL OF THEM.. are dormant above.. needles or not and that is when you dig them up and move or plant them .... so my planting window is mid sept.. to mid october.... so if the leaves fall off.. who cares .... in regard to trees ... this is s good time.. with warmish days.. and cool nights.. the soil stay warmish.. allowing the roots to get reset... thru november.. we continue to insure moisture... as the days and nights get cold... not that they need much.. just make sure the soil doesnt dry out .... late in fall ... here in MI.. ground freeze is anywhere between mid dec.. and mid jan .... last year.. right around the first of the year ... if you do the math from 10/1 to 1/1 .... that is precisely 90 days... then.. ground freeze may as well be suspended animation ... and you are all set for the ground to start thawing around mid march thru 4//1 .... and your tree i sitting there ... already to go ... MAYBE a call to your extension office.. will get someone.. based on this story.. to agree for your county .... or adjust such ... the best thing that can happen is full sun cover.. so winter winds dont dry out the soil .... but you know al about mulching.. so that ought to be good.. and finally.. YOU ARE WELCOME ... the only warning i have.. is not to buy bigboxstore carp .... that has been sitting there all summer.... if they have new fresh stock.. pungens ought to be rather bulletproof for you ... but if you buy bargain... death is possible .... ken ps: rereading the top quote.. the only difference.. is that most trees are deciduous.. and with most conifers.. you worry about needle retention ... and winter winds drying them .. but worse case.. i had a couple pines.. lose every single needle.. only to bud out and releaf in spring.. and never look back.. because i took care of the roots ....
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strobiculate
11 years ago
Technical answer...you want six weeks of soil temps above 40 degrees.

Practical answer...once the heat of summer breaks, any time is great. Go too late, use more mulch.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you everyone, for all of your answers. I appreciate them so much!
ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
11 years ago
hey .. glad to hear you backed off on the watering ...

ok.. first.. if you figure out how to kill a forsythia.. let us know..

i had a neighbor..dig a 2 foot ball.. on a 12 to 15 foot round bush [he cut it to 3 feet] ... IN AUGUST.. and DRAGGED it 2 acres to my lot.. and we stuck it in the ground.. watered it once .. and it lived ... this is a cut it to the ground.. run it over with the truck type of bush ... as are a lot of shrubs ... [i didnt really want it.. but they so wanted to 'save' it .. i had had ground to cover .. i would have just rooted a few pieces .... but apparently.. he needed the exercise .. lol]

i dont even think.. presuming its potted.. that i would worry about waiting for dormancy ... i would probably plant it.. as soon as night temps are reliably in the mid to low 60's .. and water it PROPERLY.. thru the root zone.. late into fall ... say.. 11/1 ...

for ground freeze areas.. i would want it in the ground.. 6 to 10 weeks before freeze ... which in MI is usually around 1/1 ...

they wont need much of any water in nov ... if there is any rain.. the soil simply will not dry out.. like summer ... so insuring water.. just means checking most of the time ...

forsythia root freely ... in a glass of water ... so experiment.. and root a couple 6 inch pieces.. and as soon as you see roots.. pot them all together in moist media .. and tent them in a plastic bag .. and in october or so.. bare root and put in a holding area [veggie patch??].. and i would not be surprised if you dont get a couple to winter over ...

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absolutely none of my shrubs have gotten any water in this extreme drought and heat ... and though some look a bit ragged ... i fear for none of them ... but again.. they are 10 years on site ...

with all your recent experience with planting trees.. and succeeding wildly[how many did you plant this year??] ... shrubs will be a piece of cake.. unless you go foo foo ... and even those.. will just need a little more water care ...

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ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks for responding, Ken. My computer keyboard died and it took forever to get my new keyboard shipped to me. So I apologize for not responding to you sooner.

Yes, I have backed off on the watering. I water twice a week; 30 minutes a tree.

No foo fooing here! lol I am so glad you and everyone else responded. I'm going to order some Forsythia's from Forest Farm next month, and I can't wait. I'm glad to know these are hardy shrubs.
ilovemytrees
Original Author
11 years ago
I bought the Forsythia today at a local nursery, and I had no choice but to plant it today as well, due to it's roots having grown out of the bottom of the pot in a huge way. I posted about it on the Shrub Forum and included pics. Thanks everyone for your responses..

Quick question regarding planting in the Fall

Comments (7)

brandon7 TN_zone7

wisconsitom

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