Extension Communications
Extension 4-H Youth Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3630
(515) 294-9915
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Extension Communications |
8/30/04
Contacts:
Richard Jauron, Horticulture, (515) 294-1871, rjauron@iastate.edu
Jean McGuire, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515) 294-7033,
jmcguire@iastate.edu
Garden Column for the week of Sept. 3, 2004
Late Summer and Early Fall Planting
By Richard Jauron
Horticulturist
Iowa State University Extension
While spring is the traditional planting season in Iowa, late summer/early fall is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials and spring-flowering bulbs. Late summer to early fall is also the best time to establish a lawn from seed and repair an existing one.
Lawns
Seeding of new lawns and the overseeding of existing lawns should be completed
by mid-September in northern Iowa. Gardeners in southern Iowa can sow grass
seed up to Oct. 1. A late summer to early fall seeding has several advantages
over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in
the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall
promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition
from weeds
as few weed seeds germinate in the fall.
After seeding, keep the upper 1 inch of soil moist with frequent, light applications of water. Most turfgrasses should germinate in two to three weeks if the seedbed is kept uniformly moist. Gradually reduce the frequency of watering, but water more deeply, when the turfgrass reaches a height of 1 to 2 inches. Mow the grass when it reaches the height of 3 to 3.5 inches.
Trees and Shrubs
Balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs can also be planted
in late summer and fall. Ideally, evergreens should be planted by early October
in Iowa. Evergreens planted in late October or November may not have adequate
time to get established at their new site before the onset of winter and
could be subject to desiccation injury and possibly die. Depending on the
year, deciduous
trees and shrubs (those that drop their leaves in the fall) can be planted
up to mid- to late November.
Late summer/fall planted trees and shrubs should be watered on a regular basis during the remainder of the year. Frequently check the moisture status of the plant's root-ball. Water newly planted trees and shrubs when their root-balls begin to dry out. Continue watering until the ground freezes in winter.
Perennials
Late summer/early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It
is also a good time to move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily,
garden
phlox and oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall
should be mulched with 4 to 6 inches of straw, pine needles or other materials
in
late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil
that can heave plants out of the ground. Plants heaved out of the soil may
be severely damaged or destroyed due to the drying of the exposed plant crowns
and roots.
Spring-Flowering Bulbs
October is the ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring-flowering
bulbs. Bulbs planted in October have sufficient time to develop good root
systems before the ground freezes in winter. If the weather permits, bulbs
can be planted
as late as mid- to late November. Plant bulbs in groups or clusters to achieve
maximum visual impact. When planting tulips and daffodils, plant 10 or more
of the same variety in an area. Smaller growing plants, such as crocuses,
should be planted in clusters of 25 or more bulbs. Plant bulbs at a depth
equal to
3 to 4 times their maximum bulb diameter. To encourage good root development,
periodically water the newly planted bulbs in October and November if the
weather is dry.
Late summer/early fall is time for the gardener to enjoy the fruits of their labor over the past several months. It's also time to plan and plant for the future.
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Editors: There are no photos available for this column.
ml: isugarden