With the seemingly endless fall floral ideas on Pinterest, in home and garden magazines, and in share sessions with your fellow gardeners, it’s easy to put the bloom before the bulb. But just because the kids are back in school doesn’t mean it’s truly autumn. The ideal conditions for planting won’t come until October, and installing your Georgia  landscape too early will undermine the health of your plants well into the holiday season. 

The Problem with Early Planting

Ever had a stem that just grows . . . and grows . . . and grows, with no leaf or bloom in sight? This is the biggest danger in filling your Buckhead beds before the optimal time. It’s easy to get excited about the warm, seasonal color palate autumn offers, but planting too soon doesn’t just mean more work. Pansies, violas, and a range of other fall blossoms grow unevenly when the soil is too warm. Leaves and bulbs thrive in the cooler fall soil, while warmer soil encourages stem growth. To avoid leggy plants, wait until mid-October to bed your bulbs. And when fall finally finds the South, invest in a soil thermometer to make certain our warm Atlanta dirt is primed to let your landscape thrive.

Prepare, Prepare, Prepare for Planting

Now is the ideal time to get pumped about fall pruning, planning, and preparation. Nurseries are cutting prices, and with a little TLC the scraggly-but-strong vegetation you’ll snatch for a steal can boost your yard and give your inner gardener some instant gratification. Research your options to plan your holiday garden as effectively as you plan your Thanksgiving dinner. And hold on; October will be here before you know it!

Call Bloom’n Gardens with any questions about late-summer gardening, cultivating your vegetable garden, or fall bulbs and planting.