Gardening

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Category: Fall gardening

Great bargains in plant prices and wise plant energy use

It's a great time to grab those bargains at the nursery, whether it's plant material or a much-needed new trowel. Nurseries prefer to sell as many plants as possible so they do not need to move them into protected areas or care for them in any way during the winter.

Now is the best time to plant or transplant ornamental trees and shrubs. Because plants are beginning to send all their food resources to their roots at this time of the year, they are not using their energy on pushing forth leaves and flowers. With their roots as the focus of the activity, they are strengthening existing roots and establishing new roots for next season. Additionally, the plants have a great deal of time before the ground freezes (usually around Christmas time) at the beginning of winter and when it starts to thaw in late winter to work on establishing healthy new roots. The ground starts to thaw sometimes toward the beginning of the year as well. Whenever the ground is not frozen, the roots continue to develop and grow.