Many gardening experts insist that autumn is an excellent time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. But is this really true? Yes, it certainly is true. During the spring and summer, this type of greenery is busy putting down roots, growing stems and sending up blossoms and leaves . It's a lot of work. Such labour intensive activity will become rather exhausting by the end of the growing season. But the arrival of fall signals some cheerful changes in their work schedule.

During the autumn season, the tops of trees, shrubs and perennials are going dormant, so they can just relax and take it easy. They can take a long and well deserved break and indulge in their own rather slow and restful seasonal holiday. Trees, shrubs and perennials no longer need to use energy producing new top growth. Instead, they can just expend minimal energy to leisurely 'root in" after being planted in cool and moist soil. Of course they will enjoy this so much more if you furnish their new home with the appropriate essentials - soil amendments and refreshments.. Like people who move into a new home, trees, shrubs and perennials will do much better when they are provided with what they really need.. They really need quality organic amendments, rooting fertilizer and abundant water.

After you plant them, trees, shrubs and perennials will be very thirsty. So ensure you keep watering them very well until the first hard and heavy frost arrives. Then leave them alone. Unless we experience periods of unexpected warm and dry weather conditions, which of course require sporadic watering, ignore them. And do not prune any of them until late spring when you see vigorous new growth.