Planting and transplanting in the fall: our tips for success

Fall is the ideal season for planting and transplanting. It gets colder and more humid, and your plants put out their roots better in the soil. But why is this so? And what's wrong with planting in the spring? We share our tips for getting started planting and transplanting your favorite flowers in the garden yourself.

We believe that autumn is the new spring. Why? Simple: autumn is the ideal time for planting and transplanting because the temperature drops and it becomes more humid. Unlike spring, which is rather warm and dry these days (with the exceptions of spring 2024). Because if you are putting new plants in the ground, or you want to transplant, the conditions in autumn are thus much more suitable.

Of course it does! There are plenty of reasons why spring is also great for planting and transplanting. The ground is warming up again, after a long winter, and the rain is also a little more frequent. But it's not a certainty. And chances are you will have to water a little more often, because the sun shines more often and the soil dries out more quickly. All not insurmountable, but important to think about. There is a little more frequent checking involved, especially when it is dry for an extended period of time. Planting and transplanting in the fall is simply a little easier. And that's okay, right? We have found that plants root a little faster and better then, giving them a better start in the spring.

Planting new plants (whether they are perennials or shrubs and trees) can be done as long as it is not freezing. And since our winters are wet rather than very cold, that's a long time. A little night frost won't hurt, by the way. As long as you can get into the ground easily. So autumn is great for creating new borders, or making adjustments to your garden. Important if you want to plant now: make sure your plants get enough water. If it does not rain for a while in autumn (no exception), then it is important to give extra water anyway.

But not only planting can be done in the fall, you can also transplant. Perennials that have already finished flowering can be cut short and taken out of the ground to put them somewhere else, for example. This way, your plants are already fully rooted in the spring and will be more resistant to any drought. It saves a lot of hassle. Transplanting can be done as long as it is not freezing, but preferably - especially with perennials - when the soil is still a bit warm.

Whether you want to transplant a perennial, or you want to plant a shrub or tree: it is important that the plant is dormant. That is, in the case of deciduous shrubs and trees, there are no leaves left on the plant. And that perennials should preferably be dormant before you want to plant or transplant them. The more leaves there are, the more likely the plant will evaporate and thus need more water. Because mainly the latter is of great importance, after all, you want there to be enough moisture available for your plants to quickly and properly set out their roots in the soil. So planting or transplanting is not something you do in the fall.

In the fall, you often find roses, hedges, shrubs or trees that are offered with a so-called bare root or root ball. Such plants are not in a pot, have only roots and must be planted fairly quickly in the fall. They are often much cheaper than those grown in pots. This makes sense, since there is less work and fewer raw materials are needed from the grower to sell them. Potted plants, often perennials and shrubs, can be planted year-round. Obviously, planting in the summer is not recommended, due to heat and drought, but in theory it can be done. As long as you provide the plants with enough water. Such specimens are more expensive, but can be offered for sale longer by the grower. By the way, the strongest plants are those that are outdoors. Greenhouse plants often need more time to adapt.

Annuals or frost-sensitive plants are a separate category, it is best not to plant or transplant them in the fall. Simply because they cannot tolerate frost and die when the temperature goes below zero. Usually the general rule for those types of plants is: plant after the frosts in May. This is because then the chance of night frost is gone and they grow like the roofs of their houses thanks to the sun warming the soil and air. 

If you plan to transplant perennials, it is advisable to give them a rejuvenation cure right away. That is, you don't put old mother plants in their entirety in a new spot, but first divide them to get several new plants. This is an inexpensive way to propagate your plants. If you're brave, you can tear by running a spade through your plants. If you want a quieter approach, you can cut through the roots of the plants with a hori hori knife, for example. Plants that tear well during transplanting: lady's mantle, delphinium, echinacea, autumn asters and hostas, among others. Ripping is transplanting with guts, and realizing that your plant will benefit.

Transplanting always involves a shock to the plant. You are taking the plant away from its environment and interrupting its root system. Besides watering quite a bit, it is important to start with healthy soil. Therefore, mix some compost or soil conditioner into the planting hole when you transplant, this encourages the roots to regrow. It also holds moisture better, which is obviously very beneficial for the growth of your plants.