Why autumn is the best time to plant new plants

If you are wondering why autumn is the best time to plant new plants, we have the answers for you. The temperatures are cool, but before it gets too cold is one of the best times of year to get planting in the garden. As the leaves turn into the magical warm shades of autumn and bags of leaf mulch get collected to replenish the soil, it is a beautiful time to get outside in the garden. Even though the temperature has dropped, the sunny days of autumn are an ideal time to get outside and plant in the garden.

Autumn is a pleasant time of year

Autumn is simply a fantastic month. It isn’t too hot and not too cold either. There are still sunny days with blue skies, and even harvests from the kitchen garden, including cut flowers. The colours change, but there is still plenty of interest in going outside and enjoying the fresh air.

The soil is still warm 

Even though the air may be cooler, the soil is still warm enough for planting. If the ground is too cold, this can stunt growth or even kill the plant, but autumn has warm soil, meaning it is the perfect time for planting. Planting includes bare root perennials, potted perennials, trees and shrubs, plus spring flowering bulbs. 

Less water is needed

There will firstly be more rainfall, meaning you won’t have to get the watering can out so much, and planting during the colder months means fewer weeds competing with your new plants for water and nutrients. As the soil is still warm but not too hot and the weather isn’t too hot, your new plants won’t need so much water. In fact, some won’t need any at all. 

Plants got plenty of time to establish 

Planting in autumn allows the plants plenty of time to establish roots before it gets too hot and there are too many weeds. If you plant out at this time of year and use a good quality organic mulch around the base of the plant, this can help with not just water retention but also keep weeds at bay. Autumn is an all-round great month to enjoy the garden and settle in new plants, ready for the growing seasons ahead. 

For autumn plants and tools, visit us in-store to prepare your garden for next year.