Save 30% at Fall Plant Sale

Topics: Central Coast, Native Plants

Many think fall should be a time to put your flower beds to sleep, winterize your lawn and retreat indoors. But there are many benefits to planting in the fall. I’ve even heard it referred to by gardeners as the “second spring.” You don’t have to work between heat waves, cold snaps, rain and even unexpected late snows of spring.

Our tulip tree seedlings will one day become giants.

Planting in autumn is actually beneficial for plants. The cooler temperatures allow root systems to develop without having to sustain top growth. The plant is able to expend its energy growing a stronger root system that will absorb available moisture and help circulate needed nutrients.  Generally, rainfall this time of year is sufficient to not require irrigation as often as in the spring and summer. The roots will continue to grow until the soil chills, triggering the plant into dormancy. Next spring when things heat up, trees, shrubs and perennials will have better root systems that are better established and equipped to sustain the plant through our hot, dry, harsh summers.

Fall planting can also benefit those doing the planting. I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather toil during a crisp, cool fall day. If the benefits of a cooler climate aren’t a factor to encourage you to plant in the fall, please consider prices.

The federation will offer our native plants at 30 percent off regular price the week of Oct. 22 – 26 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at our headquarters building – 3609 N.C. 24 in Ocean in Carteret County. For more information call 252-393-8185. You can also go to our drop me an email.

A sampling of plants that will be available include: Red maple, red buckeye, common serviceberry, pineland three awn, shallow sedge, common hackberry, common button bush, Carolina sweet pepper bush, scouring rush horsetail, trumpet weed, American witch hazel, soft rush, tulip tree, purple muhly, longleaf pine, eastern white pine, American sycamore, black oak, winged sumac, black willow, lizard’s tail, American snowball, highbush blueberry and yaupon holly.

I hope you plan to take advantage of the “second spring.”