No better time than fall to get those roots established before spring. Planting in fall when the soil is still warm from summer allows roots to establish and build a better chance of success for next year's drought and heat.
Fall is Good for Root Growth
Warm soil temperatures encourage root growth – more so than in the spring when the soil is still warming up. Plus, with the shorter days and cooler air temperatures, plants spend less energy on growing foliage and flowers and more on building a strong root system in preparation for winter.
Autumn's cooler temperatures and wetter weather mean a better start for trees, shrubs, bulbs and perennials. Vegetables and herbs grow well in fall, too, especially greens and root vegetables. When you plant in fall, you take advantage of milder weather. More rain and moderate temperatures equals less watering.
In general, foliage plants grow best between 70 degrees and 80 degrees F. during the day and between 60 degrees to 68 degrees F. at night. Most flowering plants prefer the same daytime temperature range, but grow best when nighttime temperatures range from 55 degrees to 60 degrees F.
The best month to plant flowers in spring is really down to the USDA hardiness zone you live in and the likely last frost date. This is likely to be from around March, but if you live in a northern zone, be sure to plant frost-tolerant perennials until you are happy that the risk to more tender flowers has passed.
Spring Flowers
It's when many flowers have a growth spurt. It's a really beautiful time of year as your garden begins to show its color. That's why so many people choose to have weddings in the spring. You also need to be aware that spring spans over a few months.
Any plant that is “hardy” in your zone is fine to plant in winter. These flowers have no problem with snow or frost and, in fact, need the cold. Here are some of my favorite flower seeds for winter sowing in January or February.
Peak sunlight and searing heat are added stressors on young plants with small roots, not to mention, summer soil tends to be drier.
As the temperature increases above the base temperature, plants grow faster, until it reaches its maximum rate of development. This is the optimum temperature and also varies among plant species. Plants that originate from warmer climates tend to have higher optimum temperatures than those from cooler climates.
Plants and Planting
Pansy roots will not function when soil temperatures are below 45°F. When soil warms to about 65°F (about two to three weeks before frost-free date), cool tolerant plants can be planted, such as nemesia, diascia, snapdragons, alyssum, osteospermum, mimulus, lobelia and petunias.
October is a great time to plant those fall flowers. There are many varieties that can be planted this fall and start blooming early spring. Garlic (Zones 5-10): Garlic is a vegetable that can be planted in the fall for a larger and earlier harvest this coming spring.
Those flowering bulbs are calling! Don't put down those garden gloves for the year just yet! Believe it or not, October happens to be one of the most fruitful times of year to plant spring-blooming bulbs, hardy vegetables, and shrubs of many varieties.
While you can plant a late planting to the first frost date, it's always best to allow as much growing time as possible. If you missed the spring planting, then calculate which vegetables you can grow now and still have a harvest before the first frost.
The date that your ground actually freezes varies from year to year, of course, and some areas won't have frozen ground at all. If you're unsure, mid-November is a safe planting deadline for nearly everyone. - Get everything in the ground before the ground freezes.
Although each plant's needs may vary and some will be more winter-hardy than others, in general about a month before the last fall frost is sufficient in giving the plant enough time to establish itself and take root.
Fall is a great time to plant perennial herbs, which come back year after year and thrive in either pots or planting beds. Plant herbs such as thyme, oregano, mint, and sage any time from summer to mid fall, and you'll be able to harvest now and up until a hard freeze.
Sugars fuel plant growth, so the more light a plant is exposed to, the more energy it will create and the faster it will grow.
The general answer is around 90 degrees F, with some exceptions to the rule. This means that when temps rise above 90 and remain there for a lengthy spell: Leaves wilt. Water evaporates into the atmosphere more quickly in high heat, draining a plant's reserves.
Light freeze - 29° to 32° Fahrenheit will kill tender plants. Moderate freeze - 25° to 28° Fahrenheit is widely destructive to most vegetation. Severe or hard freeze - 25° Fahrenheit and colder causes heavy damage to most plants.
The books are right – planting in the summer when it is hot and dry is not the best time to move new plants into or around the garden. During a particularly bad heat wave it can be hard enough to keep the soil hydrated, let alone provide ample moisture for plants that are establishing new roots.
August is an ideal time to plant seeds for a second gardening season that can be as productive as your major early spring plantings. Late summer is perfect for a delicious fall vegetable and herb harvest.
You can plant in your garden every single day in the month of July to take full advantage of the long, sunny days of summer. While I'd love to give you a hard and fast rule for what you can still plant in your raised bed kitchen garden in the middle of summer, it will vary depending on where you live.
Crabgrass, petunias, and snapdragons are types of annual that will not survive cold temperatures and will need to be cared for to survive winter.
SNOWDROPS (Galanthus nivalis)
True to their name, these early-blooming bulbs often emerge while snow is still on the ground to provide a breath of fresh air for winter-weary gardeners. In mild winters, snowdrops can flower as early as late January, but February or March is more common.