Landscaping Myth: You Can Only Plant in the Spring

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    Spring may be the season of rebirth, blossoming flora and fauna, and gardening, but it is certainly not the only time of year to plant. In fact, as a leading landscaper in Kansas, High Prairie Outdoors has the inside scoop on when to plant what and why, and we are happy to share.

    Depending on what you are planting, you will find that the timeline changes drastically. Some homeowners are surprised to learn that there are some flowers and shrubs which need to be planted in the Fall, just before the winter frost hits, rather than spring when buds are blossoming, and flowers are blooming. Why? Because there are many plants that require time to develop strong roots and grow before the spring season appears.

    Here, we will delve more closely into the world of gardening and help you determine the best time to plant your favorite blooms.

    Plant Bulb Flowers in the Fall

    Above, we suggested that there are some plants which you must get into the ground as early as Autumn. This includes all your favorite bulb flowers, such as tulips, daffodils and crocus. These brilliant and hearty plants require the long Fall and Winter season to begin growing deep and strong roots in the soil. It is only after the frost of winter that most bulb plants will bloom, sprouting up in early spring to give your garden its first taste of color and life.

    While bulb flowers get planted in the Autumn, they do come up in spring, which gives the illusion that they have been planted in the early spring months. There are also non-bulb plants, like Gardenias which need to be planted in Fall as well.

    Summer Planting

    There are also some flowering breeds that should be planted during the sunny months of summer when the ground is warm and fertile. This includes such beauties as:

    • Marigold
    • Black-Eyed Susan
    • Verbena
    • Coneflower
    • Aster

    Again, like the bulb flowers, many of these blooms appear in the early spring months, which may be what sparks the confusion about when to plant. Black-Eyed Susans and Coneflower, in particular, are among the first plants to show their faces to the new spring sun.

    Veggies in the Winter

    Believe it or not, in mild winter moments, you can plant some of your veggies, especially if you’re not expecting a cold snap this year. Veggies that survive the winter planting season include:

    • Swiss Chard
    • Radishes
    • Onions
    • Carrot
    • Kale
    • Peas
    • Broccoli

    Essentially, many of the winter plants will end up in a delicious and vivacious salad. Of course, you do have to be careful when planting in the winter. The two main issues being that the ground gets too hard to plant if you wait too long, and there is always a potential for a harsh freeze, even if the weather channel is predicting a mild season. In Kansas, winter planting is touch and go, and we almost always recommend planting in Fall or during the spring thaw.

    Planting in the Spring

    Of course, even with all the beautiful foliage filling itself in and gardens bursting with colors, there are some things you should plant in the spring. This list of veggies, fruit, and flowers includes but is not limited to:

    • Tomatoes
    • Roses
    • Beans
    • Peppers
    • Violets
    • Garlic
    • Raspberries
    • Petunias
    • Melon
    • Herbs
    • Spinach

    As you can see, there are many plants that require spring planting, but still more that can be planted in preparation for spring. Your landscaper can help fill you in on which flowers and shrubs go in the ground when and how best to cultivate them.

    Contact a Landscaper all Year

    Fortunately, no matter the season, your landscaper can help you prepare and perfect your outdoor space. From spring to winter, your yard and garden can be detailed and maintained to increase aesthetics, productivity, and usability. Looking to hang out in the great outdoors and enjoy your space while the snow is on the ground? We can help. Want to know more about planting schedules to ensure your spring garden is looking its best? We can help with that too.

    High Prairie Outdoors is a full-service Kansas City landscaping firm with a history of successful projects. We strive to help our customer’s visions become a reality by working closely with you to bring to life plants, flowers, trees, shrubbery, and more. To get in touch with one of our experts, we invite you to contact us at 1-816-398-2901.

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    About The Author

    Robyn is a 2009 Graduate of the Kansas State University Department of Horticulture. She grew up in South East Kansas where she graduated from Humboldt High School. She was a Kansas State University Leadership Scholar and President of the Horticulture Club. She married Bret in 2009 and they have a daughter Ellie, born in 2021. Their family is completed by three adopted dogs.

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