How to Plant Trees, Shrubs, & Perennials in Winter
Anna Montgomery
Fall is the best time to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials. But as our own Lisa Stanley always advised her customers here at Stanley’s Greenhouse: It is not too late to plant trees, shrubs, and perennials in the winter if you are willing to do what is required to meet the particular plant’s needs. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Is the ground easily workable and not frozen? Then you should be fine to plant.
Keeping a new tree, shrub, or perennial watered in the weeks and months after it is planted is critical for establishing the root system that will sustain your plant. This is not as much of a factor with winter planting because winter typically brings plenty of rain to our area. If we are having a warm spell with temperatures in the 60s, and 50s, and no rain, you will need to water some in the first few weeks. As Rocky Stanley advises, water to the roots. Watering to just wet the soil at the top level is not enough. Water to ensure that the roots receive what they need to encourage them to expand and support a healthy tree, shrub, or perennial.
What about fertilizer? Yes, you will need to provide the right nutrients to the plant. If you are planting a new tree or shrub, follow Monte Stanley’s best planting practices and include a small Espoma Biotone Starter Plus package. This organic fertilizer will give your plant everything it needs to flourish in the critical early, root-growth time period. Why?
Bio-Tone Starter Fertilizer:
Grows larger root mass to help plants establish fast
Reduces transplant loss
Promotes bigger blooms
Is a microbe-enhanced, all natural organic fertilizer with no sludges or fillers
One caveat on planting trees in winter. Use caution with planting evergreens in winter. Unlike deciduous trees and shrubs, evergreens hold their foliage in winter, and it can be difficult for them to establish their roots while preserving the moisture required for their needles. If you have an evergreen that you have used as a Christmas tree and need to plant it in winter, give our tree and shrub experts a call (865-573-9591) to see how you can best protect the tree and give it its best start.
Winter is a dormant time for many plants, so they require less water because they are not in their active growth stage.
Most pests are not active in the winter making it an advantageous time to plant.
Consider planting in fall or early winter to give your plants, trees, and shrubs time to grow their roots before they must face our hot, dry East Tennessee summers. The health of a plant is in its roots, so establishing the roots is critical to the plant’s success.
Have questions? Give us a call at 865-573-9591; we will be happy to advise you!