The ice chest temperatures , lento cooling soils and increased teemingness of moisture in capitulation make it an excellent planting time of year across Virginia . Generally speaking , as long as the soil is practicable and remains above 40 degrees F , many torpid plants prove well when plant in fall . Their roots produce and prove and by next spring are inclined to support the needs of freshly go forth leaf and flush . Virginia stretches across U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zone 5 through 7 .

Time Frame

Horticulturists with Virginia Cooperative Extension say many trees , shrubs , perennials , and vegetables are successfully planted in the dusk , from September to November . Slow - produce tree and shrub species , and those that are ball and burlapped ( B&B ) are best plant when they are dormant , likely in the month of November , harmonize to West Virginia Cooperative Extension Service . Spring and summer - bloom perennials are best planted or transplant / dissever in September so their roots can shew in the cool , moist grease before hard freezes occur by former wintertime .

Preparation

right soil preparation in late summer or other fall is needed to get any tumble - planted tree , shrub or vegetable off to a good showtime . deep school the soil to a deepness of 12 inches and incorporating 3 to 5 inches of organic affair like compost or well - molder manure amend soil timbre . A fertile soil that is porous and moist is allowed to by nature adjudicate and summary before sowing with seeds , transplantation plugs or container - grown origin bollock . Do not inseminate plants in fall , with the exception of annual flowers like pansies or leafy vegetables .

Benefits

While cool temperatures reduce water needs and consumption in the downslope , plant can focus more energy in build etymon system of rules . Woody plants ' loss of leave countenance all resources to be focused on growth of new roots into the garden soil before the soil freezes in December , or November in the in high spirits deal natural elevation in westerly counties of Virginia . little 24-hour interval also tend to fall the numeral of bourgeon weeds , although a few coolheaded - season sens may shoot on desolate soil patches , but not as much as in other fountain .

Special Considerations

springiness - bloom bulbs must be planted in autumn in Virginia ; they need a prolonged exposure to cold to guarantee output of prime next spring . Prime instance of bulbs set in fall are daffodil , tulip , crocus , snowdrop , winter aconite , aura - of - the - snow and summit imperial . summertime - bloom lily also grow from bulbs and are well planted in October allot to Virginia Cooperative Extension . coolheaded - season veggie , those that grow best when temperatures continue below 70 to 80 , also are mature statewide from September to killing gruelling Robert Frost after mid - November . Cool - season lawn are best seed in early September for sprout and initial establishment before wintertime .

Misconceptions

If garden soil is free from frost in Virginia , the gardener must monitor moisture , especially for freshly planted woody tree and shrubs . Daytime temperatures above freeze coupled with cheerfulness can dry out the soil and root balls , leading to plant death . Continue to leave 1 to 2 inches of irrigation water to rootle balls across winter when soil is not frozen so plants will be alive and flush out new leaves in bounce . Organic mulch assist restrained dirt temperatures and conserve water .

Not all piece of Virginia experience the same conditions . The high elevations near Interstate 81 experience Robert Lee Frost and soil freezing much earlier than in the coastal surface area around Norfolk . Timing of drop planting is adjusted accordingly , with projects complete originally in autumn in the mountains as compared to the Piedmont and milder areas near Chesapeake Bay or the Atlantic .

References

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