The debate over whether spring or fall is the best time to plant trees has gone on far too long. Regardless of what people in other parts of the US might say, the best time to plant trees in Missouri is, undeniably, in the fall.
Why You Should Plant Trees in the Fall in Missouri
Fall is great for transplanting trees from a nursery. Lower temperatures, better warmth retention, and fall rainfall are key factors.
Cooler Temperatures
Cooler temperatures make transplanting less stressful. When the weather is warm, the tree generates a much higher water demand, which puts more burden on the roots before they fully settle. Heat itself can also be challenging for plants that just entered a new environment.
Trees also naturally enter dormancy as temperatures drop. If you plant trees in the fall, they direct more energy toward root development instead of new top growth. This supports steadier establishment and prepares your trees for the heat and water demands of summer.
Better Heat Retention in the Soil
Soil retains heat more efficiently in the fall, ensuring a healthy, supportive environment for roots to grow. Warmer soil supports root development even when the tree above ground begins to slow down as temperatures drop. That way, your tree will root and settle over winter, giving it a strong head start when summer arrives.
Fall Rainfall
Missouri’s fall brings nice, steady rainfall. This creates favorable moisture conditions for trees, especially for the roots to grow. Since water demand and water loss are already lower in the fall than on warmer days, Missouri’s rain pattern makes this season ideal for planting trees.
However, note that supplemental watering is still needed for newly transplanted trees whenever rainwater isn’t sufficient.
Pests and Diseases
Most pests die as the weather cools, making fall much safer for new trees than summer. Pathogens also go dormant in colder weather. Therefore, planting trees in the fall means lower risks for pests and diseases.
While fall is generally the best time to plant trees in Missouri, you still need to consider each species’ transplant preferences. In fact, here are some trees that are best suited for spring planting in Missouri:
Bald cypress
American hornbeam
Ginkgo
Larch
Magnolia
Hemlock
Sweetgum
Tuliptree
Willow
Generally, the warmer spring soil and weather conditions are crucial for plants that regenerate their roots much more slowly, such as scarlet oak, flowering dogwood, and hawthorn.
Fall is the best time for planting trees and you should ensure the tree receives a desirable amount of sunlight.
What Contributes to a Successful Fall Planting
Planting your tree in the fall is only one of the many important pieces. To ensure a successful transplant, pay attention to placement, planting methods, watering, and mulching.
The list below provides you with a step-by-step guide on how to transplant a tree into your yard:
Choose the Right Location
Some trees prefer the sun, and others prefer the shade. Placement is essential to successful tree transplants. Important factors to consider when choosing the location for your new tree include mature size, sunlight, soil, drainage, moisture, and surrounding structures.
Proper Planting Method
There are several things to consider when it comes to the actual planting:
Depth: Plant your sapling at the correct depth. The trunk flare should be visible rather than buried.
Width: The planting hole should be roughly two to three times the width of the root ball.
Backfill: Fill the hole with the site’s native soil, which usually means what you dug out
Watering Your Tree
Water your tree thoroughly at planting, and keep it consistently moist during establishment. If you plant trees in the fall, moisture maintenance should be fairly simple with Missouri’s rainfall during the season. However, monitor as the tree settles in and provide supplemental watering during dry spells.
Mulching
Spread mulch around your new tree. Lay down a thin layer about two to three inches thick, and avoid direct contact with the trunk. Improper mulching can harm your trees.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it always better to plant trees in the fall?
Not necessarily. Fall planting is a recommended window that works best given Missouri’s weather, but it is not a set rule. Spring planting may be more beneficial if the tree has slower root regeneration. Ultimately, it comes down to your tree species.
2. Who can plant trees for me in the Kansas City Metro?
Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping is a trusted garden specialist serving Kansas City and surrounding areas. We can help you plant trees and also offer ongoing tree healthcare as a subscription service.
3. Can I plant during summer or winter?
We don’t recommend planting trees in summer or winter because extreme heat or freezing temperatures can put additional stress on the tree. This doesn’t mean you absolutely cannot do it. However, planting in summer and winter requires much more follow-up watering and constant vigilance.
If you’ve seen your neighbors with their colorful mini tulip fields in the front yard this past Easter and wondered how you can have something like that too, we’ve got the answers for you. The best time to plant Tulip Bulbs to have them bloom by Easter next year is early fall. This guide walks you through why fall is the best time to plant tulip bulbs and how to care for them properly.
Why Plant Tulips in the Fall
Different plants should be planted around different times of the year for the perfect results. For example, early-blooming perennials need to settle and mature before their bloom time in February or March for the best visuals, while colorful annuals have very specific blooming periods.
For tulips, you want to plant them in early or mid-September because they need a steady period of cool temperatures to develop properly. The best time to plant tulips is in early fall, right before temperatures begin to cool. This lets the tulips grow their roots and stabilize, setting the stage for beautiful spring colors. A general rule is to plant them approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the ground begins to freeze.
Plant tulips pointy side up with bulbs placed 4 to 6 inches apart.
Planting Your Tulip Bulbs: A Step-By-Step Guide
You’ve got your tulip bulbs, now what? This step-by-step guide will walk you through how to properly plant your tulips so they grow and bloom.
1. Choose the Location
Starting by determining where you should plant your tulips. Tulips like plenty of sun and require good drainage. However, tulips are not generally drought-tolerant and should not be planted in the same zone as existing drought-tolerant plants.
Along the pathways, in a standalone garden bed, or by the curb are all good places to plant tulips.
2. Prepare the Bed
Prepare your flower bed by loosening the soil and removing any debris, rocks, weeds, roots, and trash. For better growth, you can incorporate a small amount of compost into the planting area and apply a bulb fertilizer according to the label directions.
3. Plant the Bulb
Plant your bulbs about 4 to 6 inches apart. Map out the positions and dig holes about 6 to 8 inches deep, or about three times the bulb’s height. Plant the tulip bulbs with the pointy end up. Fit them into the holes firmly, and avoid pressing them into the soil with force.
4. Backfill
Cover the bulbs completely with the original soil you’ve dug out. Make sure the bulbs are covered and the topsoil is firm. Use a garden shovel to gently pat down the surface.
5. Add Mulch
Once the tulips are covered, add mulch to your bed. Mulch will help insulate the soil, retain heat through Kansas City’s harsh winters, and ensure even moisture distribution.
6. Water thoroughly
Finally, give the area a good, thorough watering. This helps boost initial root growth and ensures your tulips settle in steadily.
Do Tulips Come Back Every Year? Hybrid vs. Series Tulips
Contrary to popular belief, not all tulips are perennials. At Royal Creations, we only use hybrid tulips, which are annual blooms. Only series tulips will come back every year.
Hybrid vs. Series Tulips: Pros and Cons
Before we dive deeper into the differences between hybrid and series tulips, be aware that most tulips in the market today are hybrid tulips. If you want series tulips, you may need to find a specialty grower.
Hybrid tulips take the best of their parents, so they are often favored for their bigger flowers and brighter colors. Hybrid tulips are also cold-resistant and can survive through winter why growing out their roots in the fall. However, hybrid tulips are annuals that do not come back.
Series tulips, or species tulips, are the old aristocrats in the tulip world, upon which modern hybrid tulips got their original strands. These tulips are perennial and will return every year to grace your yard. They tend to be smaller and work better as delicate decors or accents.
How to Care for Tulip Bulbs
During the growing season, keep the soil moist but not soggy with standing water. Water generously during dry spells, such as early spring. Apply initial fertilizer during planting, then again when shoots begin to sprout in the spring.
Here are some additional points when it comes to taking care of your tulips:
Tulips thrive the most in temperatures between 55°F and 70°F.
Tulips need ample watering and good drainage. Generally, a weekly rain is sufficient for tulips without additional watering required.
Critters love tulips and may dig them up, but you can plant daffodils with them to repel pests.
Keep your pets away! Tulip stems and flowers are toxic to most animals.
Tulips are vulnerable to fungal diseases. Don’t buy any bulb with obvious blemishes or discoloration (even if they may be marked for clearance!).
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Where can I buy tulip bulbs?
We recommend buying directly from local growers or independent nurseries instead of large box stores or retailers. Small growers pay more attention to their plants. Plus, you are supporting your local community that way. At Royal Creations Architectural Landscaping, we follow a meticulous plant procurement process to ensure our clients receive the healthiest bulbs. So, if you’re unsure where to get tulip bulbs, come talk to us, and we will take care of you.
2. How long do tulips bloom?
Tulip blooms typically last between 7 and 15 days. Soil conditions, planting quality, root development, temperature, and the tulip variety all come into play. To help your tulips bloom for as long as possible, plant them in the fall so the roots can fully develop during the cooler weather.
3. Why did my tulip bulbs die?
Underwatering and overwatering are two of the most common reasons why tulip bulbs die. Make sure the soil is moist but not soggy, and reduce watering when it is cold outside. Also, don’t mistake their natural dormancy post-blooming for death. Your tulips will come back again so long you take good care of them!
