Laidback Gardener Tip of the Day

Plant Hardy Plants Early

21050503Don’t hesitate to plant hardy plants – perennials, shrubs, trees, conifers, etc. – early, well before the last frost date. After all, these plants can withstand significant frost (always possible in May) and even better, recover more rapidly from transplant shock when the soil is still cool than from plantations at the more traditional planting dates in late May.

Wait while the soil is well drained before planting, though: working in the garden when the soil is still wet can destroy its structure.

For bare-root shrubs and trees, an early planting is even more important: they have to be planted before the foliage starts to expand significantly.

Garden writer and blogger, author of 65 gardening books, lecturer and communicator, the Laidback Gardener, Larry Hodgson, passed away in October 2022. Known for his great generosity, his thoroughness and his sense of humor, he reached several generations of amateur and professional gardeners over his 40-year career. Thanks to his son, Mathieu Hodgson, and a team of contributors, laidbackgardener.blog will continue its mission of demystifying gardening and making it more accessible to all.

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