Estabrook's Garden Newsletter

The Benefits of Fall Planting

Enjoy better blooms next spring by planting this fall

Instead of thinking of fall as the end of the gardening season, think of it has the beginning of the next one! By planting your trees, shrubs and perennials this fall, you'll be able to give them a great head start while enjoying the glorious fall weather at the same time. Here are just a few reasons why fall planting is so beneficial:

Rooting Instead of Growing

Perhaps the most important benefit of fall planting is the fact that your plants will focus all their energy on establishing strong roots. As plants approach dormancy in the winter, the energy usually reserved for growing and leafing out can be transferred to rooting themselves into the soil. With a strong support system underground, you'll see bigger, fuller plants.

Less Watering

With cooler temperatures in the fall, it takes the soil much longer to dry out between waterings. While watering is still important during the fall, especially for new plantings, it doesn't take on the importance of summer or even spring plantings. That leaves you with more time to enjoy autumn without performing maintenance on your garden.

Better Blooms in the Spring

Finally, your plants will produce bigger blooms much quicker in the spring thanks to their head start in the fall. Similar to the rooting vs. growing benefits above, your plants will be able to focus more time and energy on creating stellar blooms next season if they're already firmly established in your landscape.

Choosing the Perfect Pumpkin

Follow our simple tips and you'll have the best pumpkins on the block

Whether you're looking to carve the ultimate Jack-O-Lantern or simply dress up your front steps, you'll want to select the very best. Here are a few tips to help you choose your pumpkin and keep it fresh until Halloween:

1. Select pumpkins that are fresh and firm. Avoid choosing a pumpkin that has bruised or soft areas, cuts or other visible blemishes.
2. Store both cut or uncut pumpkins in a cool, dry place to keep them fresh longer. A cool basement will work well.
3. Remember that warm weather and hot sunlight can speed decay in a pumpkin. Don't leave your pumpkins out on your door step during unseasonably warm weather.
4. Once a pumpkin is carved, cover it with plastic for a day or two to help keep moisture in it.
5. Smaller cut pumpkins can be wrapped in plastic and stored inside the refrigerator for a few days before Halloween. This is especially helpful if you are having a party and need to carve them ahead of time.
6. If your cut pumpkin begins to shrivel, it can sometimes be revived temporarily by soaking it in a bucket of cool water for several hours, and then draining thoroughly.
7. Cover all cut edges of a pumpkin, as well as the entire interior, with petroleum jelly. This is the best way to reduce moisture loss and keep a pumpkin looking fresh longer.
8. Heat from electric light bulbs and candles can also contribute to the early demise of a pumpkin. Try cutting a hole in the top of the pumpkin to allow heat to escape.