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You don’t need to wait for spring to plant!

How many of us put off our landscape planting needs until the growing season resumes with warmer spring temperatures? How many of us think we cannot plant in winter?
How many of us think winter is a bad time to plant?

You don’t need to wait for spring to plant!

Winter is actually an ideal time for planting because there is no water stress on newly planted trees and shrubs. Sometimes when we plant a containerized tree or shrub during the growing season we may inadvertently damage some roots as we remove it from its pot. During the growing season plants are actively pulling water in through their roots. If roots are damaged during planting your tree or shrub may wilt. A tree or shrub with damaged roots may take some time to recover and may look “wilted” for a couple days.  As long as you keep the soil well watered it generally recovers in a couple days.
Planting a dormant tree or shrub during winter avoids this water stress issue. If roots are damaged during winter planting your tree or shrub won’t wilt.  Plus when growth resumes in spring your plant will begin growth in place based upon its functional root mass with no further disturbances. Cold temperatures or frost will not harm your dormant tree or shrub.

As long as your soil is not frozen, you can plant!


We have a large selection of trees, shrubs, and cacti that can be planted during the winter months. Visit our website to the large selection of plants
available today for your landscaping needs:

http://treesthatplease.org/plants/

Photos & Narrative By:
Stephen Sain 
Staff Plant Physiologist

Trees That Please Nursery
Unique Amongst Retail and Wholesale Nurseries
Serving Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Los Lunas, and Belen


Comments

Anonymous said…
I always laugh when people in your area tell me "you can't plant except in spring and summer", as they are bound to drive by commercial landscaping all over, going in all winter except those few days. Exactly - less stress from water and roots in winter, on most plants.
January 13, 2015 at 11:22 AM
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