While spring is the traditional planting season in Georgia, early fall is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs, perennials, and spring-flowering bulbs. Late summer and early fall is also the best time to seed lawns.

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Lawns

Landscapers begin seeding of lawns in late September. Seeding should be completed by late November around our area. Late summer and early fall seeding has several advantages over spring seeding.

The cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turf grass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in the fall. However, a rigorous water schedule must be maintained.
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A new lawn can also be established by sodding. The best times to sod are spring and late summer/early fall. Fall sodding can be done until frost starts to form.

Trees and Shrubs

Balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs can also be planted in late summer and fall. Evergreens should be planted from mid-September through October. Planting during this period allows the evergreens to become established before the onset of winter.

Evergreens planted in late fall are susceptible to desiccation injury and death. Deciduous trees and shrubs (those that drop their leaves in the fall) can be planted from September through early November.

While most trees and shrubs do well when planted in late summer and fall, some woody plants root slowly and should only be planted in the spring. Slow-to-root trees that should be planted only in the spring include fir, birch, yellowwood, ginkgo, magnolia, ornamental pear, and hemlock.

Trees and shrubs planted in late summer and fall should be watered every 7 to 10 days during dry weather. Continue watering until the first frost.

Perennials

Late summer and 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 and early fall should be mulched with 2 to 4 inches of straw in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that can damage recently planted perennials.

Spring-Flowering Bulbs

October is the ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils, and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant bulbs in groups or cluster to achieve maximum visual impact. Bulbs planted individually or in single rows are generally not as effective. Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted as late as December if the ground remains unfrozen.

Late summer and early fall is time for gardeners 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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