What is the best time to plant young plants?
If you’re growing your own seeds, it’s important to know when the best time to plant them is. Choosing the right season will help you avoid planting seedlings that aren’t ready or don’t enjoy the outdoors.
The key to successful transplants is to keep the soil well-watered for the first few weeks. Often, you’ll also want to add some granular organic fertilizer, compost, or worm castings to the soil before planting.
Spring
Planting young plants in spring can be exciting and rewarding. But the key to successful gardening is planning ahead and being prepared for the changing weather. Keeping an eye on the average last frost date and hardiness zone for your region can help you plan when to sow, transplant or divide plants.
During this season, it’s also a good idea to prepare your garden area for planting by adding fertilizer, compost or mulch. This will help improve soil quality and keep it moist.
It’s also time to plant warm-season vegetables and herbs in your garden. This includes early successions of radishes, beets, carrots, lettuce and spinach, which can be sown directly in the garden soil or started indoors as bedding plants.
For warm-season crops such as beans, peas and chard, the ideal planting time is when daytime temperatures are at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Some cool-season crops, such as broccoli and cauliflower, are best planted two weeks before the average last frost date to allow them to get a head start on growth.
If you’re unsure when to sow your seeds, it’s best to consult a seed packet or your local nursery to find out when the best planting time is for your climate. In addition to determining planting dates, it’s also helpful to determine how much lead time each type of plant needs for germinating in relation to its outdoor soil and air temperature requirements.
Some flowers and shrubs may be too sensitive to cold to be planted before the last spring frost date. You can acclimate these tender species by putting them in an enclosed greenhouse or indoors for several days at a time.
Many flowering bulbs and perennials can be planted in spring, such as daffodils, tulips and crocuses. But other flowers such as Shasta daisies, phlox, fall asters and chrysanthemums require a bit of acclimating period before they’re ready to be planted outside.
If you’re unsure of when to plant, it’s best to check with your local nursery or the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Their experts can recommend what flowers and shrubs are most tolerant of spring planting, as well as the best date to sow them.
Summer
Most plants, shrubs and trees do well in summer but there are some special types of plants that need a slightly different ideal planting time. Deciduous and coniferous trees both require a certain amount of lead time to establish themselves in the ground.
They need to acclimatise to the sun and to the temperatures. They also need to be watered regularly during hot weather to keep their roots moist as they absorb the available moisture from the soil.
You can help your new plants get the best start by transferring them on evenings or cloudy days when the temperature range is smaller. This means that they will be less likely to wilt and acclimatise quickly.
Remember, when your plants are transplanted, growth will be set back by 1 – 2 weeks as they take their first steps out into the real world. However, once they have established themselves and their roots are firmly in place they will grow quickly again!
Trees are particularly vulnerable to a lack of rain, so make sure to water your newly planted trees frequently during the first couple of weeks to keep them hydrated. Check your tree for signs of wilting as this is one way to know whether it needs watering more often.
Alternatively, feel the soil around your new plants’ root balls to gauge their watering requirements. Then, soak them regularly – once or twice a day for small-rooted plants and deeper soakings every 5 to 7 days for big-rooted ones.
Young plants may wilt in hot, dry weather, especially on dry windy days. To avoid this, water them when they are a little damp and not soggy – that way the water penetrates down to the base of the roots.
Then, give them regular waterings to ensure their roots stay well-hydrated all through the growing season and into winter. A hose is a good option for this as it will get directly to the roots and will be easier on them than a sprayer.
Planting young trees is a great way to add shade and shelter to your garden, but it’s important to choose the right tree for the job. There are several factors that should be considered when deciding on a tree for your landscape.
Fall
Fall is the best time to plant young plants, because the soil remains warm enough for new roots to grow. It also gives young trees, shrubs, perennials and wildflowers a head start on their spring growth.
Trees and shrubs need to be planted at least six weeks before their first average frost date in order to give them a chance to establish their root systems. It’s not a good idea to wait until the first hard frost, as this can cause the soil to freeze and thaw, which is bad for plants that are not anchored properly.
When planting bare-root perennials in fall, it’s important to mulch with organic matter such as leaf litter or straw to help keep the soil from freezing and thawing. This also preserves the moisture in the soil, which is vital for transplant shock and root development.
It is also a good idea to divide some of the more mature perennials in your garden, especially those that have already produced flowers. This is a great way to get more flowers out of the same space and will make your landscape more attractive in spring.
Besides, dividing plants in the fall makes them less likely to over-grow and become a nuisance. This helps prevent overcrowding and makes your garden look more organized.
Another reason to plant young plants in fall is that aphids, caterpillars and beetles are no longer active by the time fall arrives, so they are not a threat to new plantings. Similarly, the pests that attack most annuals during their flowering season are not out in full force by the fall.
Besides, many trees and shrubs go dormant in the fall and winter and store up energy for the next growing season. This will make them more resilient to harsh winter conditions.
Winter
Winter is the best time to plant young plants because the soil temperature is lower and they’re dormant. They also don’t need as much water as they do in spring and summer, which can save you money on your utility bill!
In addition, cold weather doesn’t bring out pests, which can be a major problem for new plants. It’s also the ideal time to harvest root vegetables and greens that don’t do well in the heat of summer, such as garlic and kale.
If you’re planting new trees or shrubs, consider wrapping them in horticultural fleece for the first year to protect from cold and wind. This will help keep the trunk from drying out, which can lead to cracking and breakage.
Another way to protect newly planted young trees or shrubs is by placing them in a cold frame. You could make your own if you have the space, or purchase an inexpensive, pre-made one. If you do choose to use a cold frame, be sure to provide plenty of ventilation on hot days and water the area thoroughly.
You can also place lightweight evergreen boughs over new perennials or shrubs to protect them from frost heaving, which occurs when the ground freezes, causing the plant’s roots to break loose. Shredded bark mulch can also be used to protect plants from thawing.
To learn more about when to plant seeds and transplant young plants, take a look at our seed starting guide. It will tell you when to start seeds indoors, and when to transplant them outdoors.
There are many factors to consider when planting seeds and transplanting young plants, including their growing zone, first frost date, maturity date and need for light and fertilizer. Knowing these facts will help you determine the best time to plant your garden and give you a better chance of success!
Once you know the best time to plant your gardens, you can be sure that your yard will look its best all year. Then, when the weather warms in spring, you can be sure your garden will be ready to bloom and produce!