Just because summer is over doesn’t mean it’s too late to plant something new. Here in Central California, Fall is considered the best time to plant new trees, shrubs and plants. The weather, temperatures and water requirements align perfectly to give roots time to acclimate before the Spring season.
Planting in late September, October and November takes advantage of the moderate temperatures and cooling soil in California. Trees and plants are able to put all their energy into developing roots and not putting out leaves or flowers.
This gives trees and plants a head start putting down a strong root system before the need to channel water and nutrients for Spring growth. In fact, trees planted in the Fall are often much larger, stronger and healthier one year later than trees planted in the Spring.
Water requirements during the Fall season are also much lower, allowing you to take advantage of natural rainfall instead of relying on expensive irrigation. Less watering also means less chance developing certain root rots. Frequent watering during summer combined with high temperatures can promote fungal diseases.
You can see why now is the best time to plant trees. Now the question of “what trees should I plant”.
Best trees and plants for Fall
This is an ideal time to choose trees and other landscaping or garden plants. The weather is much more enjoyable, and our nursery is filled with colorful flowers, trees and shrubs perfect for the season. If you’ve always wanted trees that change colors in the Fall, you can see what they will look like, instead of playing a guessing game in the Spring.
If you’re looking for ideas to freshen up your home or business landscaping, here are a few recommended trees and plants perfect for Visalia and the San Joaquin Valley (Zone 9).
Two trees we recommend and have available here at Luis’ Nursery in Visalia, California are the Chinese Pistache ‘Keith Davey’ and Red Maples. These are beautiful ornamental trees with leaves that turn brilliant shades of scarlet and gold in Fall.
For smaller projects and lots of color, we also offer a variety of plants and winter vegetables including:
- Pansies
- Snapdragons
- Cyclamen
- Stock
- Calendula
- Iceland poppies
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Kale
- Cauliflower
- Onions
- Lettuce
- Brussels sprouts
- And so much more!
New shipments arrive weekly, so be sure to visit us often to see what’s in stock and enjoy the beautiful colors. For questions about the best time to plant trees, or other Fall planting questions, please feel free to contact us at 559-747-5015. Or follow us on our Facebook or Instagram accounts for the latest in nursery news.
