Care for shrubs and perennials: Guest Blogger-Barb Sherman

Fall is here and winter is quickly approaching and you are probably thinking it is too late to plant or transplant trees shrubs and perennials in your garden. Well it is not. Most perennials will continue to produce and establish the roots in garden soil as long as the soil is about 45°. Even though the air may be cooler the soil takes much longer to lose its warmth. Fall planting gives perennials, trees and shrubs a better start than those that are planted in the spring because they have already established their root systems and will put all of their energy into new growth compared to those that are planted in the spring and spend much of their time establishing their roots as well as their greenery at the same time. You may want to add some B1root stimulator to your newly planted perennials to help them establish new roots before winter but NOT your trees or shrubs. You will need to prepare the soil well for your trees and shrubs and make your holes at least 6 to 10 inches wider then their pot size and water them in well before the ground is completely frozen. You will want to stake your trees to help support them through winter. Do not prune any of your new trees or shrubs until March or early April so they don’t have to try to heal now from the damage and become even more stressed then what normal transplanting does to them anyway. It is best not to prune any existing trees this time of year because decay fungi spread their spores profusely in the fall and healing of wounds seem to be slower on fall cuts. This is a good time to leave your pruning tools in storage. Pruning during winter dormancy after the leaves have fallen and a hard frost occurs is the most common time or right after the coldest part of winter has passed. Barb Sherman, Professional Horticulturist

Barb Sherman is the owner of Barb’s Creative Gardens and Greenhouse located in Hackensack, MN.  She will be holding an OPEN HOUSE November 6-8, 2015.  Times:  10 am – 5 pm.  Any purchases of $25 or more includes a $5 gift certificate for spring flower purchases.  Refreshments will be served.