Garden To-Dos When Soil Temperatures Start to Drop…
As our days shorten, the soil is quietly changing too. Unlike air temperature, which can vary wildly from day to day, soil temperature shifts slowly and steadily. In the fall, soil microbial life slows, roots shift their focus from top growth to their roots, and seeds are falling into their cozy spots for the winter ahead. But for the gardener, soil temps trigger different processes like…
DORMANT SOWING MEADOWS
Once soil dips below 50°F (yesterdays soil temps in ATL were hovering around 55 degrees), native meadow seeds recognize it’s time to sleep, not sprout. That’s your cue to start dormant sowing, or in other words, scattering native seeds that will overwinter in place. Dormant sowing mimics a natural process called cold stratification where a period of cold, moist conditions softens the seed’s outer coating and triggers chemical changes that will help germination in the spring. It’s a low-effort and highly effective way to establish a meadow that will wake up and germinate right on time. Some folks cold stratify seeds artificially in the fridge by mixing the seeds with a bit of moist sand or peat or paper towel in a plastic bag approximately 4-8 weeks before planting. But now you may be wondering about the basics to seed sowing? Well, here they are…
- Pick your mix. Choose native perennials suited for your site (sun vs. shade, wet vs. dry).
- Prep the soil. Remove weeds and lightly loosen the top ½–1 inch of soil.
- Mix seeds with sand. This helps spread tiny seeds evenly but is not required.
- Broadcast your seeds. You can scatter by hand or seed spreader.
- Press the seeds in. Lightly firm with hands, gentle feet, a board, or roller.
- Mulch lightly. Thin layer of seeding straw or leaves but avoid a thick layer of your chosen mulch.
WOODY PLANTING
Root growth keeps going long after the leaves have fallen. That means tree, shrub, and vine species planted in late fall and winter get a head start on dealing with transplant shock and establishing their roots. By spring, they’re settled and ready to surge. At CoFo, we put a pause on all woody plantings during summer and tell our clients that we’ll be back when the soil temps are ready! If you’ve got a tree/shrub/vine that you’ve been eyeing, the coming months is the time to snap it up and plant.
And remember these few tips for planting:
- Dig a hole twice the size of the plant’s container. This ensures your plant roots have room to extend into.
- Give the hole a flat bottom and slanted sides. The plant’s root ball should site flush to the bottom of the hole. Think cereal bowl shape.
- Loosen the roots. Containerized plants often are root bound and need to be massaged and unraveled.
- The first sign of roots should be level with the ground. This is called the root flare.
- Mulch. Mulch all around the plant EXCEPT up against the stem.
- Water immediately after planting.
Whether planting trees and shrubs or laying the groundwork for a vibrant native meadow, the next couple of months is the time to do it! Book your fall planting or dormant sowing project now and let nature do the rest while your landscape sets itself up for a thriving spring.