For Brownwood residents planning to add trees, shrubs or perennial flowers to their landscapes, fall may offer the best opportunity of the year. Anna Davenport, Brown County AgriLife Extension Agent, says planting during October and November can help new plants establish strong root systems before the region’s intense summer heat returns.

In a column published October 15, Davenport explained that fall planting can reduce the stress placed on new landscaping while helping homeowners save water, time, money and labor. The recommendation follows a familiar pattern for local growers: after a hot summer, cooler autumn temperatures create a more favorable period for getting plants into the ground.

Spring remains the traditional planting season for many consumers, but Davenport said autumn is particularly well suited to perennial flowers, trees and shrubs. Brown County’s extended heat and unpredictable rainfall can place significant pressure on spring plantings, especially while young plants are trying to establish themselves.

Why fall gives roots a head start

The main advantage of fall planting occurs below ground. As air temperatures cool, the soil can remain warm after absorbing heat from the summer sun. That combination gives newly planted trees and shrubs time to develop roots without having to cope immediately with extreme evaporation and triple-digit temperatures.

When a plant is installed in October or November, it can spend less energy supporting its above-ground canopy and more energy developing roots. Even after the plant becomes dormant and loses its leaves during winter, its roots can continue expanding underground, according to Davenport.

That early root growth can make a major difference when July heat arrives. Fall-planted additions have more time to become established and can be better prepared to withstand dry conditions by the following summer.

Fall landscaping can also support wildlife

The benefits extend beyond plant survival. Perennials and woody ornamental plants installed in autumn can provide structure and shelter for beneficial insects and birds during the colder months.

A well-established root system can also help plants bloom earlier and more abundantly in spring. Those blooms provide nectar and pollen for early-season pollinators at a time when the insects are emerging and beginning to seek food.

For homeowners choosing plants, Davenport recommends visiting independent local nurseries and garden centers. Shoppers can inspect plant health and inventory in person while seeking advice from growers familiar with the area’s growing conditions.

Three steps for a lower-stress planting job

  1. Dig the right hole. Make the hole twice as wide as the plant’s root ball, but no deeper. Planting too deeply can hold excess moisture around the roots and contribute to root rot.
  2. Loosen the roots. If the plant is root-bound in its nursery container, gently tease or score the outside of the root ball. This encourages the roots to grow outward into the native soil.
  3. Apply mulch. Spread a 3-inch layer of organic hardwood mulch across the root zone. The mulch helps retain moisture and keeps the soil warm longer into winter.

Putting in the work during the fall can help Brownwood homeowners conserve water, protect their landscaping investment and enter the next growing season with plants that are already better established.

Residents who need help selecting a tree can contact the Brown County AgriLife Extension office at 325-646-0386 or visit the office at 605 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood. Davenport also directed readers to the Texas A&M Forest Service Tree Selector Guide for additional help choosing a tree.