Fall Planting Guide: What to Plant September Through November

Fall is not the end of planting season in New Jersey. For many trees, shrubs, evergreens and perennials, it can be one of the most useful times of the year to get plants into the ground.

From September through November, cooler air temperatures can reduce heat stress while the soil may remain warm enough for root activity. The important part is understanding that September, October and November are not the same planting conditions.

At Maple Leaf Farms Garden Center & Country Store in Manalapan, New Jersey, we help customers continue planting well beyond summer. Trees, shrubs, privacy plants, evergreens, perennials, ornamental grasses, fall flowers and spring-flowering bulbs can all have a place in the fall landscape.

This guide explains what New Jersey gardeners can plant throughout fall, how planting changes as winter approaches, and what newly planted material needs before cold weather arrives.

Why Is Fall a Good Time to Plant in New Jersey?

Fall offers a combination that can be favorable for establishing many landscape plants: cooler air and soil that retains warmth from summer.

Compared with the hottest part of summer, cooler fall weather generally means less heat stress and lower water demand. Meanwhile, roots can continue establishing as long as soil conditions remain suitable.

Fall planting can be particularly useful for:

• Shade and ornamental trees

• Evergreen trees

• Privacy screening

• Deciduous shrubs

• Evergreen shrubs

• Many hardy perennials

• Ornamental grasses

• Spring-flowering bulbs

• Cool-season fall color

That does not mean every plant should be planted at every point during fall. As the season progresses, plant selection and aftercare become increasingly important.

What Can You Plant in New Jersey in September?

September is one of the most versatile months for fall planting in New Jersey.

Summer heat usually begins easing while there is still substantial growing time before winter. That creates opportunities for both permanent landscaping and seasonal fall color.

Trees

September can be an excellent time to add shade, ornamental and flowering trees.

Depending on your property and planting goals, choices may include:

• Red Maples

• Japanese Maples

• Oaks

• Zelkovas

• Honeylocusts

• Redbuds

• Crabapples

• Ornamental Pears

• Magnolias

The correct tree depends on available space, sunlight, soil, drainage and the mature size of the plant.

Shrubs

Many landscape shrubs can also be planted during September.

Examples include:

• Hydrangeas

• Viburnums

• Boxwoods

• Hollies

• Rhododendrons

• Azaleas

• Lilacs

• Spirea

• Burning Bush

• Dwarf Alberta Spruce

• Junipers

• Gold Thread Cypress

Fall is also a good time to look at the landscape differently. Instead of choosing only for flowers, consider evergreen structure, berries, fall foliage, texture and winter interest.

Privacy Plants & Evergreens

September is an important month for homeowners planning privacy screening.

Popular choices can include:

• Green Giant Arborvitae

• Emerald Green Arborvitae

• Leyland Cypress

• Other appropriate evergreen screening plants

Before planting a privacy row, consider mature width not simply the size of the plants when purchased. Proper spacing can prevent overcrowding later.

What Perennials Can Be Planted in September?

Many hardy perennials can be planted during early fall while soil temperatures remain favorable.

Depending on availability, options can include:

• Coneflower

• Black-Eyed Susan

• Bee Balm

• Salvia

• Sedum

• Daylily

• Coreopsis

• Hardy Hibiscus

• Ferns

September is also an opportunity to evaluate existing perennial beds while plants are still visible. You can identify empty spaces, areas lacking late-season color, and places that need more height or texture.

What Can You Plant in New Jersey in October?

Yes, you can still plant many trees, shrubs, evergreens and hardy perennials in New Jersey during October.

October should not automatically be considered the end of planting season.

The weather is cooler, deciduous plants begin entering dormancy, and soil can remain workable even as nighttime temperatures fall.

October is particularly useful for:

• Trees

• Shrubs

• Arborvitae and other evergreens

• Privacy screening

• Hardy perennials

• Ornamental grasses

• Spring-flowering bulbs

The later we move into fall, however, the more important watering and root-zone protection become.

Can You Plant Arborvitae in October in New Jersey?

In many situations, yes.

Green Giant and Emerald Green Arborvitae are widely used for privacy screening in New Jersey, and fall can be a practical planting period.

The important consideration is not simply the date on the calendar.

Pay attention to:

• Soil moisture

• Drainage

• Root-ball condition

• Planting depth

• Weather

• Exposure to wind

• Remaining time before prolonged freezing conditions

Newly planted evergreens continue losing moisture through their foliage even during cool weather. They should enter winter properly hydrated without being kept constantly saturated.

When Should You Plant Spring-Flowering Bulbs?

Fall is the time to think about next spring.

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other spring-flowering bulbs are generally planted during fall rather than waiting until spring.

October is often an important bulb-planting month in New Jersey because temperatures are cooling while the soil remains workable.

Always consider the planting requirements of the particular bulb, including depth, spacing, drainage and sun exposure.

What Can You Plant in New Jersey in November?

November is where homeowners often become unsure.

November does not automatically mean planting season is over.

Trees and shrubs may still be plantable when the soil remains workable and weather conditions are appropriate. Dormant deciduous trees and shrubs can often handle cool-air conditions well.

Potential November planting can include:

• Deciduous trees

• Many shrubs

• Certain evergreens

• Late spring-flowering bulbs

• Other cold-hardy landscape material appropriate for the site

But November requires more judgment than September.

A warm early November and a frozen late November are completely different situations.

How Late Can You Plant Trees and Shrubs in New Jersey?

There is no single calendar date when planting suddenly becomes impossible.

Soil and weather conditions matter more than an arbitrary cutoff date.

If the ground is workable and the plant is appropriate for fall installation, planting may continue later than many homeowners expect.

However, planting into frozen, waterlogged or otherwise unsuitable soil is a different situation.

Late-fall planting also makes proper installation and watering especially important because there is less time to correct mistakes before winter.

Should Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs Be Watered in Fall?

Yes.

One of the biggest mistakes after fall planting is assuming cooler weather means a new plant no longer needs water.

A newly planted tree or shrub has a limited root system compared with an established plant. The surrounding soil and root ball should be checked.

Do not water simply because a certain number of days have passed.

Check the soil.

If the root zone is still adequately moist, additional water may not be necessary. If it is drying, water thoroughly enough to wet the root zone.

Rainfall, soil type, drainage, temperature, wind, plant size and whether the plant is evergreen or deciduous all affect how quickly moisture is lost.

Constantly saturated soil can be just as damaging as allowing a new root ball to become excessively dry.

Should You Stop Watering After the First Frost?

Not necessarily.

A frost does not automatically mean that newly planted trees and shrubs no longer require attention.

If fall becomes dry and the ground remains unfrozen, soil moisture should still be monitored.

Evergreens deserve particular attention because they retain foliage and can continue losing moisture during winter.

The goal is not to keep the soil wet.

The goal is for plants to enter winter adequately hydrated without sitting in saturated soil.

How Should Trees and Shrubs Be Planted in Fall?

Correct planting matters more than the season itself.

Do Not Plant Too Deep

The root flare of a tree should remain visible near grade or above.

Burying trunks or planting root systems excessively deep can create long-term problems.

Shrubs should likewise be installed at an appropriate depth rather than buried beneath additional soil.

Check Drainage

New Jersey properties vary considerably.

Some locations have heavy clay, compacted soil or areas where water accumulates after rain.

Before planting, consider how quickly the planting area drains.

A plant that prefers well-drained conditions can struggle even when everything above ground looks correct if its root system remains saturated.

Mulch Correctly

Mulch can help moderate soil temperatures and reduce moisture loss.

Avoid creating a mulch volcano around trees.

Should You Fertilize Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs in Fall?

Do not assume every newly planted tree or shrub needs fertilizer immediately.

Plant selection, soil conditions, plant condition and the specific product all matter.

Fall establishment should focus first on:

• Correct planting

• Appropriate depth

• Good soil-to-root contact

• Proper drainage

• Appropriate moisture

• Root establishment

If you are considering fertilizer, root-support products or soil amendments, choose them according to the plant and actual soil conditions rather than applying products automatically.

Our Garden Pharmacy at Maple Leaf Farms carries plant foods, fertilizers, soil amendments and other plant-care products, and we can help customers determine which type of product fits what they are trying to accomplish.

What Are the Best Plants for Fall Color in New Jersey?

Fall planting does not have to mean waiting until next year to enjoy the landscape.

Trees, shrubs, grasses and seasonal plants can provide immediate autumn interest through foliage, flowers, berries and texture.

Depending on availability and site conditions, fall-interest landscapes can include:

• Maples

• Japanese Maples

• Hydrangeas

• Viburnums

• Ornamental grasses

• Sedum

• Asters

• Mums

• Ornamental cabbage and kale

• Other seasonal fall plants

Combining permanent landscape plants with seasonal material can create color now while improving the landscape for future seasons.

September vs. October vs. November Planting in New Jersey

September

Think selection and establishment.

This is a broad planting month for trees, shrubs, evergreens, perennials, privacy plants and fall color.

October

Think trees, shrubs, privacy, evergreens and bulbs.

Cooler temperatures make October an important landscape month, but moisture should be monitored as conditions change.

November

Think conditions rather than the calendar.

Planting may continue while soil and weather remain suitable, particularly for hardy trees and shrubs. Pay closer attention to weather, soil moisture and winter preparation.

Is Fall Better Than Spring for Planting?

Neither season is automatically better for every plant or every property.

Spring provides a long growing season ahead.

Fall offers cooler air temperatures and an opportunity for root establishment without immediately entering summer heat.

Plant type, soil, drainage, weather, irrigation and planting practices ultimately matter more than simply choosing spring or fall.

For many New Jersey landscapes, both spring and fall can be valuable planting seasons.

Fall Planting at Maple Leaf Farms in Manalapan, NJ

At Maple Leaf Farms, fall is still very much planting season.

Our garden center carries a broad and changing selection of trees, shrubs, evergreens, privacy plants, perennials, ornamental grasses and seasonal plants. Inventory changes throughout the season, so specific varieties and sizes can vary.

We can also help customers think through important factors such as sunlight, soil, drainage, mature plant size and the purpose of the planting.

Whether you're adding one tree, building a privacy screen, refreshing foundation plantings or working on an entire landscape, fall gives New Jersey homeowners another opportunity to get plants established before the next growing season.

Visit us at 525 Route 9 South, Manalapan, NJ 07726 to see current plant material in person.

Fall Planting FAQ

Is September a good time to plant trees in New Jersey?

Yes. September can provide favorable conditions for many trees because summer heat is easing while the soil remains warm.

Can I plant shrubs in October in New Jersey?

Yes. Many hardy landscape shrubs can still be planted during October when soil and weather conditions are suitable.

Is November too late to plant trees in New Jersey?

Not automatically. The condition of the soil and current weather are more important than the month alone. Planting can continue while the ground remains workable and conditions are appropriate.

Can I plant arborvitae in the fall?

Yes. Arborvitae can be fall-planted in appropriate conditions. Proper planting depth, drainage and moisture management are especially important before winter.

Should I water newly planted trees during fall?

Yes. Monitor the root zone and water when it is drying. Do not assume cool temperatures or occasional rain are providing enough moisture.

When should I stop planting in New Jersey?

There is no universal calendar date. Frozen ground, unsuitable soil conditions and severe weather eventually limit planting. The plant species and condition also matter.

What should I plant in New Jersey during fall?

Trees, shrubs, evergreens, privacy plants, many hardy perennials, ornamental grasses, spring-flowering bulbs and seasonal fall flowers can all be part of fall planting, depending on the month and conditions.