The Northwest Voice

By: Kathy Robinson

As we watch the calendar we know fall is approaching. Even though current temperatures aren’t reflecting the seasonal change just yet, we can look forward to this most delightful time of year. This will be your best opportunity for planting, bar none. As a general rule for Bakersfield and the Central Valley, we experience an Indian Summer phenomenon that boasts quite wonderful temperatures.

The next two to three months will let you plant while the ground is warm enough to get roots established quickly. Plants don’t experience shock from extreme temperatures at other times of the year. Getting your trees and shrubs in the ground now will help kick-start root development. Give them an extra boast by planting with a good organic mulch and using a root stimulant like Superthrive. Always be careful to plant at the same depth that the plant was in the container. At Robby’s we have planting charts to help you plant properly, and we try to give one out with every purchase.

By planting in the fall you will get the benefit of the heavy burst of spring growth. “Why?” you ask. Because by planting now, roots will have time to get established in the soil. Once a plant has a nice root system developed, the energy of the plant can focus on growth and blooms. If you wait for spring to plant, the plant’s energy will mostly focus on the reestablishment of roots instead of growth. For instance, the best time to plant cool-season bedding, like pansy plants, is now. By planting in the fall, roots establish quickly and plants thrive through winter and bingo — beautiful, big, full-bloom spring pansies! For this reason I say spring is the second best time to plant!

Fall-planted trees, shrubs and flowers are also more capable of dealing with summer temperatures. Plants with established, deep roots can tolerate more heat and actually go longer between waterings. By planting in the fall, your plants will have a much better chance to develop that strong root system. Be sure to start feeding your plants about a month after they are planted. Feed them monthly and water deeply when the ground is dry.

Remember to feed evergreens all year. The only plants that don’t get fed in the winter are those that are frost tender or become dormant. Actually you could still feed these plants if you use a fertilizer with very low or no nitrogen. Early spring bloomers would also benefit with the low nitrogen feeding schedule.

If you’re looking for plants that give good fall color you can choose them now. In the next month or so, fall colors will become apparent. You can actually see which colors appeal to you and buy what you love. Some trees, like liquid ambers, will have several different varieties with different color combinations. Many times the descriptions in a book or on the Internet are not satisfactory. It is always better if one can see plants in person. Visit the nursery often to catch the fall color show — all the trees and shrubs will not color up at once.

The weather will also play a big part in color changes. This year we should have pretty good fall color because many times good fall color follows a cold winter. We sure had that last year! So last year’s cold and this year’s cold will both be coloring factors. After 45 years in the nursery business we’ve seen it all. It can get real cold before Thanksgiving or we may not see any sign of cold until Christmas. You know we will get cold — the only question is when and just how cold?

Like I said earlier, spring flowers should go in now! Don’t wait until spring for all of the above reasons. Most early spring bloomers take the winter fine! Here’s a partial list for fall planting: pansies, snapdragons, stocks, calendulas, Iceland poppies, palodosium, alyssum, dianthus, sweet peas, wildflowers, primroses and cyclamen. All of these will last much longer into spring with a well-developed root, not to mention offer many more blooms.

So fall is the best time to plant! It’s also a wonderful, festive time of year. For both of these reasons we at Robby’s Nursery have chosen to celebrate fall. Don’t miss our Fall Festival, Oct. 13 and 14. Don’t miss a great sale throughout the nursery and lots of special holiday items. Hope to see you soon!