Well the summer (if thats what you want to call it!) is almost over, and fall is rapidly approaching. Now is the time to start planning any renovations to your lawn(seeding, sodding) or any plantings you want to put into your landscape. The fall is the best time of the year to plant, as it gives the new additions to your landscape 3 mseasons to adjust to their new surroundings instead of just 1. Many people think that during the winter plants go dormant, that is only half true. Over the winter months the plant (be they grasses or woody ornamentals) redirect their energy from top growth to root growth. As I said before, now is the time to plan out your fall work. This entails going to your local nursery, looking at the plants that are there, deciding what plant material you would like to purchase,finding out how long the stock that they have on hand is and if they are getting new stock in. Most deciduous trees (maples, oaks, crabapples etc.) are not dug from the ground at the growers until October or November, so keep this in mind when looking for trees. Some tips on planting: 1) When digging the new hole, make it wider at the top than at the bottom. this will encourage a more extensive root system in the top 12-18 inches of the soil, where all the nutrient, air and water are located. 2) Make sure that you remove or cut away any burlap around the root ball, or if you are planting container plants that you cut into the pot shape. This will encourage the root systems to grow out instead of staying in the pot shape it is used to. 3) Plant the tree or shrub with about 1/3 of the root ball above soil level. This will allow for any settling that may occur, and eliminate any crown rot problems from being planted too deep in the future. 4) Incorporate a good starter fertilizer into the backfill soil. This will stimulate new root growth and give the plants a fighting chance to survive. Some dont's when planting: 1) Do not put gravel in the bottom of the hole to improve drainage. Studies have shown that this make drainage worse as it traps water in the bowl that the tree is planted in. 2) Whatever you do, do not forget to give your new plantings water. Lack of water is the major reason why plants go into transplant shock. I recommend using a soaker hose around the bases of the plants if we do not recieve at least an inch of rain per week. Following these steps, you will be able to establish strong, healthy plants that will live for many years and make your landscape beautiful. If you have any questions, or want more information you can E-mail me at aplantdoctor64@aol.com or call my office at 516-496-7096 in Nassau or 631-698-4900 in Suffolk. Mention that you saw this article and recieve 10% off any work we do for you.