Growing and Maintaining Trees and Shrubs in the Fall

The fall season is a good time to take advantage of the cooler weather to plant trees and shrubs in your yard. It is also a great time to prepare your greenery for the winter climate. Here are some tips to get you "growing" in the right direction.

Planting
When you are planting trees and shrubs, make sure to add a layer of mulch to help safeguard plants against colder temperature changes. Do not put the mulch right next to the trunk or bark or else moisture will collect and cause development of fungus and disease. Fruit and nut trees are best to be planted in fall. With cooler temperatures, the trees are exposed to less stress and their roots have a better chance of getting established.

Watering
The season's rainfall will often fulfill your trees' and shrubs' watering needs. Watch for signs of wilting. Make sure to continually water your trees and shrubs until the ground freeze so they will have plenty of water during the winter season since the ground water supply will be locked up.

Fertilizing
It is better to fertilize plants during the spring that the fall because fertilizing during the fall season can cause rapid new growth which will be eventually damaged during the fall. You will be able to tell if your trees or shrubbery will require fertilization if you notice the following indications: reduced growth in branches and leaves, yellow or pale green leaves (especially in non-deciduous trees), and wilting.

Pruning
Fall is a decent time to remove any branches that may be growing in awkward directions. However, when pruning shrubs that bloom in the spring, be extra careful and thin instead of shear. Their flower buds for the following spring season have been formed, and too much pruning can destroy their bloom. This goes the same with flowering trees.

Removal
A helpful way to remember when removing, are the 3 "D's": dead, diseased or damaged. These "D's" can be a greater invitation to diseases or pests. Removing these will also enhance the appearance of your trees and shrubs.

Winterizing
In preparation for winter, especially for those who live in areas where harsher winter seasons are expected, place barriers around shrubs that are located near the road to avoid salt spray. Also, one can use an anti-desiccant on evergreen shrubs.

Protecting
Some tips on safeguarding your shrubs and trees are: building a shrub shelter, placing mulch around trees and shrubs, and watering greenery frequently before the weather becomes freezing.

Maintaining
Make sure to keep your trees and shrubs healthy to ensure better stability through the winter end guarantee show-stopping bloom in the spring. Following all of the tips above will make your life and garden care easier and in turn will reap great rewards.

Deciding
Green Ash, fruit and nut trees are best for planting and growing during the fall season. Evergreen and flowering shrubs are hardy shrubs for growing in the autumn and lasting through colder climates.

Purchasing
Fall Shrubs and trees can be purchased at home-improvement stores such as Lowe's and Home Depot, mass merchandise stores that house garden centers such as Target and Wal-Mart, and local plant nurseries.

Sources: http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/treeshrubbasics/qt/fallshrubcare.htm;http://treesandshrubs.about.com/od/treeshrubbasics/qt/falltreecare.htm