Corpus Christi Caller Times Caller.com - Fall favorable time to plant trees, shrubs

Marketplace \| Services \| Contact Us \| Community \| Arts & Entertainment \| Local Guides

Saturday, October 23, 1999

Fall favorable time to plant trees, shrubs
Mild temperatures, precipitation beneficial

Most people think of spring as the only planting season; that is a misconception. It is true that tropical plants and palms do better if planted in the spring or early summer, but hardy shrubs and most trees actually do just as well if not even better if they are planted in the fall in the Coastal Bend.
   The fall planting season is often overlooked and misunderstood by area gardeners. Autumn provides milder temperatures and increased precipitation, which help in early plant establishment. October and November are great times for planting hardy trees and shrubs. There is still plenty of time for them to overcome any transplant shock and to prepare for our generally mild winters.
   Beware of planting tender shrubs and tropicals such as hibiscus and bougainvillea outside during the fall, however. If you do so, make arrangements to protect them from freezing during this first year. They could probably take mild frost, but don't have a long enough growing season to become established before being subjected to temperatures below their optimum growing conditions. Again, it is important to remember that these common plants in Corpus Christi are "tropical plants" that tolerate our mild winters most of the time once they are fully established.
   Whenever planting shrubs, make sure you take the time to prepare the beds, adding generous amounts of compost (about half native soil and half compost) to break up heavy clay soils and to help with water retention in sandy soils. Dig your hole at least twice the diameter of the current pot; the depth should be equal to the soil level in the pot. Always plant shrubs and trees at the same soil level. Planting them too deep will invite disease and insect problems.
   Tree-planting techniques are similar to shrubs, but soil amendments should not be used. Remember as a rule of thumb that it is better to plant a $50 tree in a $100 hole than to plant a $100 tree in a $50 hole. A large, expensive tree will not grow quickly to its potential if it is placed in a hole the same size as its original root ball. Again, the diameter of the hole should be at least double that of the tree's root ball, and it should be the same depth as the existing root mass so that the soil level remains the same. It is also helpful to break up the sides of the hole to allow water and root penetration. Otherwise, you might be creating a giant bathtub, which will hold too much water around the tree root system in heavy clay soils. Take time this fall to determine your landscape needs and take advantage of this great opportunity to plant hardy shrubs and trees. You'll be glad you did next spring when your yard has a head start. For more information on shrub or tree selection, contact your local nursery, or the Tree Awareness Council (882-3172). The Nueces County Extension Office (767-5217)also has free copies of the Nueces County Landscape Plant List and A Guide To Growing Healthy Trees in the Corpus Christi Area (the Tree Book) available upon request.
   Fall garden briefs:
   Other opportunities to learn more about planting include a Fall Gardening Seminar sponsored by the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, and the Aransas County Master Gardeners today at Green Acres, home of the Aransas County Extension Office, 611 East Mimosa in Rockport. On-site registration begins at 8:30 a.m. Program runs 8:45 a.m.-2 p.m. Topics include South Texas Vegetable Gardening, Coastal Bend Natives, Principles of Landscape Design. The $15 fee includes a box lunch. Native plants and mushroom compost will also be available for purchase.
   Nueces County Master Gardeners and many plant society members will be on-hand today at Aunt Flora's annual Fall Plant Sale at the Botanical Gardens. Sale runs 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and admission is free.
   Also, make plans to attend the second annual Arborfest on November 13 at Blucher Nature Center, sponsored by the Tree Awareness Council. Admission is free. Representatives of the Tree Awareness Council, Texas Forest Service, Texas Agricultural Extension Service and other "tree-oriented" groups will be on hand to answer questions, give advice, provide handouts, and present talks on tree selection, planting and maintenance. Food, music, crafts and kids activities will also be available.



1999 Caller-Times Publishing Company, a Scripps Howard newspaper. All rights reserved.