When most people think about planting, they picture spring. While spring is a wonderful time to garden, many professional landscapers and experienced gardeners will tell you that fall is actually the best season to plant trees and shrubs in Alabama.

As temperatures begin to cool and the intense summer heat fades, your landscape enters one of the best growing periods of the year. While the leaves above ground may be slowing down, something important is happening below the surface—roots are hard at work.

Planting in the fall gives trees and shrubs the opportunity to establish strong, healthy root systems before spring arrives, setting them up for years of success.

Warm Soil + Cool Air = Happy Roots

One of the biggest advantages of fall planting is the unique combination of warm soil and cooler air temperatures.

Even though the weather feels cooler, the soil has spent all summer warming up. Those warm soil temperatures encourage roots to continue growing long after the leaves begin to slow down.

Instead of using energy to produce new leaves and flowers, newly planted trees and shrubs can focus on establishing healthy roots.

By spring, they'll already have a head start.

Less Stress on New Plants

Summer planting can be challenging.

High temperatures, strong sunlight, and dry conditions force new plants to work hard just to stay hydrated.

Fall planting is much less stressful because:

• Cooler temperatures reduce water loss.
• Shorter days slow plant growth.
• Lower evaporation means soil stays moist longer.
• Plants can establish gradually before next summer arrives.

This makes fall one of the easiest times of year for new plants to adapt to their new home.

Stronger Roots Before Spring

Every day your tree or shrub spends in the ground before spring is another day its roots are growing.

By the time warmer weather returns, fall-planted trees and shrubs often have:

• Larger root systems
• Better drought tolerance
• Faster spring growth
• Improved overall health

Instead of spending spring simply trying to survive, they're ready to grow.

Alabama's Mild Winters Work in Your Favor

One of the benefits of gardening in Alabama is our relatively mild winters.

While plants become dormant above ground, root growth often continues whenever soil temperatures remain favorable.

That means your newly planted trees and shrubs continue establishing throughout much of the winter, giving them months of additional development before summer heat returns.

Fall Rain Helps New Plantings

Autumn often brings more consistent rainfall than the hottest months of summer.

While you'll still want to water newly planted trees and shrubs, natural rainfall can help reduce watering needs and make establishment easier.

Remember that newly planted trees and shrubs should still be watered regularly during dry periods—even during the winter.

The Best Trees and Shrubs to Plant in Fall

Fall is an excellent time to plant many landscape favorites, including:

Shade Trees

• Red Maple
• Oak
• Tulip Poplar
• River Birch

Flowering Trees

• Eastern Redbud
• Flowering Dogwood
• Saucer Magnolia
• Crape Myrtle

Evergreen Trees

• Arborvitae
• Cedar
• Holly

Landscape Shrubs

• Encore® Azaleas
• NewGen® Boxwoods
• Gardenias
• Camellias
• Hydrangeas
• Loropetalum

Whether you're creating privacy, adding curb appeal, or refreshing your landscape, fall is a wonderful time to get started.

Planting Tips for Success

Help your new trees and shrubs get off to the best possible start by following a few simple guidelines:

• Plant at the same depth they were growing in the container.
• Dig the hole two to three times wider than the root ball.
• In Alabama's clay soils, plant slightly high rather than too deep to improve drainage.
• Water thoroughly after planting.
• Apply 2–3 inches of mulch around the base, keeping it away from the trunk or stems.
• Continue watering regularly until the plant becomes established.

These simple steps encourage healthy root growth and reduce transplant stress.

Don't Wait Too Long

One of the biggest advantages of planting in the fall is giving your landscape a head start before spring.

By planting now, you'll enjoy:

• Earlier spring growth
• Healthier plants
• Stronger root systems
• Less stress during next summer's heat

It's an investment that pays off season after season.

Visit Andy's Creekside Nursery

Fall is one of our favorite seasons at Andy's Creekside Nursery, and it's one of the best times to refresh your landscape.

Whether you're looking for shade trees, flowering trees, evergreen shrubs, or colorful landscape plants, our knowledgeable team is here to help you choose the right plants for your space and provide expert planting advice.

Stop by this fall and let us help you create a landscape that will thrive for years to come.