With the onset of fall or autumn it is time for a gardener to start planning and preparing for fall planting and for spring. Think about adding some color late in the season and what you can plant that blooms early in spring. Are there spaces in the garden that need filling and what plant combinations do you want this year. It is a great time to think about what was successful in your garden this year and what you want to change. Garden planning in fall involves looking at what disappointed you and rearranging or starting new combinations. You can also make decisions about the bulbs and perennials, as well as trees and shrubs.
Winter is approaching a time when keen gardeners have less to do so fall is the time to clean up but also to plant ready for spring blooms. Ordering plants by mail or online can be done as part of your garden planning in fall. But if you are new to this way of buying plants, bulbs, shrubs or trees it may seem risky and you might have concerns such as how do you know what quality they will be, how are they shipped, will they arrive in time for planting before winter sets in and so on. But it can be done successfully, so here are some pointers about ordering plants by mail or online when garden planning in fall.
Concern about quality
Finding a reputable mail order nursery may involve some research and trial and error at first, and each one will have different ways on how they ship the plants to you. Most of the good ones will offer a money back guarantee though so if the plant arrives dead or in poor condition or does not grow you will be refunded. Sometimes plants are shipped bare root and sometimes they are shipped potted. Remember bare root plants may look dead when they arrive but are really in a sort of hibernation and when spring arrives they will thrive as well as any of your other plants. If there are any signs of disease such as rotting send them back straight away you do not want to spread the disease amongst your healthy plants. You can get your money back or get replacement plants sent.
Ordering plants by mail or online and then planting them
Though usually no exact day is given for when the plants will arrive, they will be sent to you within the time period that is right for them to be planted. If you are not ready for the planting stage but they arrive you can follow instructions that come with them, on how to keep them on hold until you are ready to plant. Hopefully with the garden planning in fall you have done, you already know where things are going to be planted so an afternoon in the garden should get it done. Remember this is their business, they want you to become a repeat customer and to recommend them to your gardening friends, so most are experienced at it and want you happy.
Cost of ordering plants by mail or online
You will be surprised by the variety that good companies have to offer, you will be able to get plants you would never find in local places, and at reasonable prices. There are usually specials held for garden planning in fall and free shipping is often offered. You could go to a garden centre and spend twice the money and have less choice to select from. Plus you have to load up the car, try and avoid pot holes, and then unload yourself. Put yourself on some mailing lists so you get the catalogues and can see what is on offer. You can use that as part of your garden planning in fall. You will also find advice on what plant combinations work well and ideas for design that may inspire you.
