Fall is here and you know what that means - it's time to plant! After the heat and humidity and tons of rain this summer, new plants will love the cooler temperatures, reliable rainfall, shorter days, and sunny skies. Planting in fall still provides plenty of time for the roots of the plant to establish before going dormant for the winter. Be sure to brush up on your proper planting techniques before digging in! http://www.behmerwald.com/informational-sheets/proper-planting/
Fall Foliage: Leaves Reveal their True Colors and 2018 Foliage Prediction for PA!
You might remember from science class that the color change of leaves starts with photosynthesis. Leaves are churning out chlorophyll--a key factor in a plant's ability to use sunlight to manufacture glucose--a key ingredient to making it stay healthy from spring to fall. Those cells saturate the leaves and make them appear green to the human eye.
Did you realize that leaves aren't green at all? Fall is the time for the plants to show their TRUE COLORS. Autumn brings chlorophyll production to a halt--and the great reveal emerges into a kaleidoscope of reds, yellows, oranges. Of course it's not that simple--beta-carotene reflects yellow and red light from the sun reflecting orange. Anthocyanin enters the picture to protect the plants leaves through fall, and gives leaves a vivid red hue. The protein Flavonol --making the yellow sunshine color--is always present in the leaves, and is able to show itself when the chlorophyll production begins to slow.
So What About the 2018 Prediction?
No prediction is 100% accurate but there are a few things we have observed here at Behmerwald and a few sources of information that we like to use when we are planning to get out and see what autumn brings in terms of amazing color. The heavy precipitation and warmer than usual temperatures have postponed the show and may cause the percentage of leaves on the trees to be less during the "peak" season than usual. For instance if a storm rolls in--like Hurricane Michael--and blows all the leaves off the trees, the festival of autumn color could be short lived and not as spectacular.
Right now the prediction is that most of Pennsylvania leaves will peak the week of October 15th - but certainly not in our area. This is later than usual since the month of September lacked the crisp cool days and plenty of sunshine we usually see.
Despite the delay, fall is showing its beauty here at Behmerwald and we have been given the blessing of perfect planting conditions for a GREAT FALL PLANTING SEASON!
Our favorite fall color comes from viburnum, cotinus coggygria (smoke tree), hydrangeas, diervilla, winter berries, cephalanthus occidentalis(buttonbush), fothergilla, and many other specimens available.
Oh Deer! Do You Need Protection? Buck Rub Season is Here! WARNING! Now is the time of year that deer become exceptionally menacing! It's always annoying and upsetting when deer visit our gardens and dine on delicious flowers or lush foliage but the damage they inflict this time of the year is much more permanent. Buck Rub season is here. Buck Rubs are when male deer rub their antlers on anything that fits between the destructive tines on their heads. The damage can kill small trees if it girdles the trunk and can destroy the shape of shrubs. We have trunk protectors and Deer repellents in stock and now is the time to protect or regret it later.
Why Fall is a Great Time to Plant!?!
Fall moisture (rains)--we've had no shortage of that lately--helps trees, shrubs, and plants establish their root systems. Also, while air temperatures are cooler than the soil, new root growth is encouraged without new top growth. The result is a stronger, better developed root system for next spring when the plant begins to develop new growth. Basically, you are giving your fall planting a GREAT HEAD START.
While planting in the spring is also good, the tree or plant has two jobs taking its energy versus one.
Here is what we mean and to keep in mind if you are struggling with the fall vs. spring planting debate:
In the spring, a new plant needs to establish a root systemandgenerate new growth on the plant or tree itself--putting out leaves and flowers during the growing system. In the fall, the plants don't need to push out new growth--they have enjoyed the time here in the nursery, becoming well established, and now can be planted at a more mature stage. Plus the biggest bonus is that they only need to work on establishing a root system. The moist fall soil and temperatures make it the perfect conditions for the plant to take root and get well established before spring.
When the ground begins to freeze on a consistent basis, we suggest waiting until spring. Our rule of thumb has always been--"A great time to plant, is when YOU have time and can get out and enjoy making improvements to your landscape."
We still have great inventory this fall and you may want to get your plants now while they have had a full season to grow; but are not what we call--"Up-Potted"--or sometimes "Up-Priced," as well, as the plant becomes more mature and more valuable. The plants are a terrific value now before prices are reevaluated over the winter and before the spring. Therefore; we highly recommend planting in the fall. Nothing beats "beating the heat" when you are working on your lawn and landscape.
Gro Low Rhus is one of our favorite plants here at Behmerwald, we like it so much that we grew too many! Its a happy mistake for you since we are offering them for sale at a 50% discount! This is a great plant to use in any location that nothing else grows well. It forms a dense ground cover about 24" high. We planted it along the road in front of the nursery and it has thrived with little to no care. The Fall color is absolutely outstanding and its not favored by deer! All that for just $16.00! While supplies last...
Fall Savings! $5.00 off any plant purchase over $20.00. Valid October 12-25, 2018. Some exclusions apply. See nursery for details.
