Garden Guide · Fall
Fall Planting in the Capital Region
Short answer: fall is a great time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials here — soil is still warm, air is cool, and fall rain helps. Plant from late August until a few weeks before the ground freezes, and water deeply until it does.
What to plant in fall
- Trees and evergreens — September is one of our busiest months for arborvitae, spruce and shade trees.
- Shrubs and perennials — roots keep growing in cool soil long after the tops slow down.
- Grass seed — late summer to early fall is the best time to seed a lawn.
- Mums, pumpkins and fall color — they arrive at Troy’s in August every year. See Fall & Christmas.
Fall planting checklist
- Dig twice as wide as the root ball, no deeper; set the top level with the ground.
- Water in until soaked, then deeply once or twice a week until the ground freezes — evergreens lose water all winter.
- Add 2–3 inches of mulch, kept off trunks and stems.
- Protect evergreens from deer where browsing is heavy.