Fall Gardening: Top 5 Plants to Grow During the Fall Season in Auburn

Fall marks pleasant weather between the transition from scorching summer to biting winter. This is the time of the year when a cool breeze starts flowing and the general temperature is cooler than usual. The weather in Auburn, ME, decreases to 43°F, and it has a pleasant climate that is ideal for gardeners and new plants. What makes fall in Auburn ideal is that there's plenty of rain to water the newly planted foliage deeply.

Another benefit of the fall season is that there are no pests or plant disease issues during the fall season. Moreover, this is the season when most nurseries and garden centers are trying to clear out their inventories before the holiday season. Therefore, you can land a good deal on the plants you want and negotiate for a much better offer.

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It's better to plant new additions to your garden during the fall season because not only can you get desired plants for a bargain but also plant them when the weather is cool and the ground is still soft and warm. When you get plants in the ground in the fall season, they take roots before the bitter winter hits and bloom fully in the spring season. Here are the top five plants that you can plant during the fall season.

Pansies and Violas

Pansies and Violas are both flowering plants that are most commonly planted during the fall and winter seasons. These plants can survive the harsh winter climate and bloom from the fall into the following spring. The difference between pansies and violas is in their size. While pansies are huge blooming flowers that often get bogged down by rain, violas are similar-looking flowers but smaller in size and stay upright even during rain.

These are good plants for the fall season because their roots get time to grow enough to survive winters in the still-warm soil temperatures during the fall season. Moreover, these plants bloom during the spring when the weather warms up again. This trait makes them cold season favorites amongst gardeners.

If you live in Auburn, ME, where it snows like an inch every year, opt for hardy variants like cold waves. Additionally, add a 1-inch layer of mulch around their roots when it snows. This will protect them from freezing and thawing cycles, which often uproot small plants.

Spring Bulbs

Bulbs are flowering plants that sometimes take months to show results, but they are so worth it. The term bulbs refer to actual bulbs and plants with tuberous roots, corms, and rhizomes. Moreover, it requires minimal knowledge of gardening to achieve stunning results with these types of plants.

There are two types of bulbs differentiated by the time of the year when they should be planted - Spring Bulbs and Summer Bulbs. Their names are self-explanatory. Of these two, Spring bulbs are the more hardy types. These bulbs are planted during the fall season, spend the entire winter inside the ground, and then bloom in spring. Typically spring bulbs need several weeks' worth of cold temperatures under the ground to escape dormancy and bloom at their full potential.

Some of the most common types of Spring bulbs are crocus, allium, daffodils, hyacinth, and tulips. You can choose from various varieties ranging in color, height, and flowering times.

Trees and Shrubs

Fall is considered the best time to plant trees and shrubs. This is because the soil is warmer than it was during the spring season. This means that roots of trees and shrubs get ample time to grow and mature before it starts snowing and they go dormant. Typically, roots can easily grow through the early weeks of December. However, you'll need to plant them at least six to eight weeks prior, from the start of the fall season till the end of October.

Keep a few things in mind before planting trees and shrubs. Research about the fully mature size of the tree or shrub you plan to plant and pick a spot accordingly. Confirm that the site you chose doesn't have any underground lines running through. Additionally, plant trees and shrubs at natural soil lines for the best growth potential. Lastly, keep the newly planted tree or shrub well-watered until the ground freezes for a good start before going dormant in winter.

Perennials

Perennials are another category of flowering plants that are ideal for the fall season. Fall is one of the best seasons to add to the collection of perennial plants. Typically the top portion of the plant dies during the winter every year and grows back during the spring. These plants usually live more than two years.

Just like every other fall plant, keep the roots of newly planted perennials well-watered till the ground freezes to encourage new and healthy growth before they go dormant. Moreover, lay down a 3-inch layer of shredded leaves or any mulch of your choice to protect them from upheaving during the winter. And come spring, you'll have dense foliage filling your garden bed with attractive bloom.

Lawn grass

Have you been planning to lay down a lawn but have been putting it off for some reason or other? Know that now is the right time to lay down that turf grass that you always wanted. The fall season is characterized by warm soil and cool breeze, ideal for planting grass seed and fertilizing.

This helps seeds to grow new grassroots before the winter truly sets in. Moreover, fertilizing at this stage will help the grass to build a network of strong and deep roots over the winter. As a result, you will have a lush and green lawn come spring season.

These are the best options to plant in your yard to make it look the best when the spring rolls around. However, these are not the only options. For a true gardener who knows what it takes, the possibilities are unlimited. However, do study your region's soil and climatic conditions and pick plants accordingly for best results.

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