The best time of year to plant shrubs is when their growth slows down.
Shrubs give much-needed structure to home landscaping. They can beautifully section off different areas of your property, line walkways, encircle gardens, and more. At Borst, not only do we plant and maintain shrubs, but we can also help design your landscape. If you’re ready to incorporate new plants, we believe the best time of year to plant shrubs is in the fall. Read on to learn why.
We look forward to collaborating on your next big project. Call Borst Landscape & Design today at (201) 581-8076 or reach us through our online contact form.
Prune in the Summer, Plant in the Fall
Transplanting shrubs in hot weather can be disruptive and even disastrous. Throughout the spring and summer, shrubs are putting their energy above-ground, into new growth. Growing is hard work, and for shrubs who are often drought-sensitive, the added stressor of summer transplanting could spell their demise. Growing periods are the best time to prune and shape your plants, to achieve a well-manicured appearance.
The best time of year to plant shrubs is in the fall when the plants are sending energy into their roots to prepare for winter dormancy. Shrubs also need less water in the fall, unlike in the spring when the landscape is drinking in the snowmelt and heavy rains. Additionally, shrubs planted in fall get the benefit of insulating snow cover. The roots are then given time to become established before having to endure the heat of summer.
The Many Benefits of Shrubs
In Bergen County, we are in planting Zone 6. That means we’re smack dab in the middle of the Department of Agriculture’s hardiness zone system, which ranges from 1 to 12. (Zone one being the coldest). The zone system helps each region determine when is the best time of year to plant shrubs and other plants. A wide variety of shrubs thrive in Zone 6, which means there is a lot to choose from. Consider these benefits shrubs bring to your property:
- Accentuate Existing Features of Your Property
- Act as a Natural Privacy Screen
- Create a Windbreak
- Produce Gorgeous Flowering Hedges
Tips for Shrub Rejuvenation
Besides knowing the best time to plant shrubs, it’s also important to know when and how to maintain them. Routine care is essential to the overall well-being of your plants. Shrubs that have gone untended may grow in unsightly ways, creating visual chaos in your yard. Overgrown shrubs may also impede movement along paths or through gateways.
- Prune in the Spring
- Remove Dead or Damaged Branches
- Mulch Heavily in the Fall
- Ensure Regular Watering
In combination with the tactics above, regular organic fertilizing can help a shrub shine. When the best time to plant shrubs rolls around, remember to give your plant a head start by giving it a boost of nutrients.
When It’s the Best Time of Year to Plant Shrubs, Borst Will Be There
The experts at Borst Landscape & Design are excited to help you plan your next home improvement project. Reach us at (201) 581-8076, or through our online contact form.