It's almost time to put away your summer clothes and bring out your hoodie. What better way to enjoy the season than out in the yard?

Pictured below: Nashville's Thistle Farms.

Now is the Time to Plant Trees and Shrubs

Winter Storm Fern decimated our trees and shrubs. Now is the time to repair the damage. After Labor Day but before Thanksgiving is the best time to plant the trees and shrubs that will bring back the autumn color we all love so much. Here are three reasons why:

1. Less Stress on New Plants: Mild autumn temperatures stop the heavy moisture loss that happens during hot summer days. Reduced evaporation allows soil to stay damp longer, which means you need to water new trees and shrubs less frequently than you would in the spring or summer.
2. Active Root Growth: Planting during fall means the new trees and shrubs will take root during the dormant season. While top growth goes dormant during fall and winter, roots keep growing all winter long, allowing the plant to establish itself and build resiliency for next year's summer heat.
3. Fewer Pests and Weeds: Insects, disease-causing fungi, and weeds slow down or go dormant in the autumn and winter, meaning new plants don't have to compete as much for water and nutrients. Plant during autumn to give new trees and shrubs the best chances for survival.

Be sure to mulch the area around any tree or shrub you plant, as mulch conserves soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, suppresses weeds, protects from erosion, and gradually enriches the soil with nutrients.

Pictured below: Mulch Company's Murfreesboro mulch yard and arboretum.

Now is Also the Time to Seed Your Lawn

After the summer heat departs but before hoodie weather sets in is the best time to seed your lawn. Here are three simple steps to having a beautiful lawn come spring:

1. Start by top dressing your lawn with Gourmet Compost™: A slightly acidic blend of aged, finely ground Pine Bark and year-old leaf compost, our Gourmet Compost™ is lightweight and can be spread with a garden rake.
2. Check the thermometer. In Middle Tennessee, autumn is more of a suggestion than a season, so watch the thermometer. The temperature has to be around 70°F for fescue seed to germinate.
3. Reseed your lawn with fescue. Once the temperature drops to 70°F, reseed with fescue over the Gourmet Compost™ top dressing, then add straw.

Pictured below: Nashville's Thistle Farms.

Use Premium Quality Soil When Planting New Trees

Cooler weather means plants are less stressed by heat. And at the same time, the soil is still warm during the autumn months, perfect for root development! Tip Top Soil is fine for most tree-planting projects, but if your planting plans involve acid-loving trees or shrubs, consider using Ultra Soil, which is more acidic.

Click here to learn more about the best soil for fall planting.

Mulch Now, But Don't Fertilize

Be sure to mulch the area around any tree or shrub you plant, as mulch conserves soil moisture, regulates soil temperature, suppresses weeds, protects from erosion, and gradually enriches the soil with nutrients.

Install a protective layer of mulch around the base of your trees and shrubs to prevent damage to root systems from cold temperatures. But hold off on the fertilizer for now. If you fertilize now, you will stimulate plant growth, especially if we have a mild or wet autumn. Then comes the frost!

Visit our Product Info page for information about the best Nashville mulch.

Get Tree-Planting Information from These Resources

At Mulch Company, we have your mulch and soil needs covered, but here are some helpful resources to maximize your tree-planting potential during autumn:

• To learn more about planting native trees, visit GroWild, Inc.
• To learn about planting native shrubs and perennials, visit the Tennessee Urban Forestry Council.
• To learn which mulch and soil products are best for your fall planting projects, visit our Product Info page.

Pictured below: Mulch Company's Murfreesboro mulch yard and arboretum.

We are Here to Help

To help our neighbors recover their tree losses from historic Winter Storm Fern and to get back to the beautiful fall leaf colors we all love so much, Mulch Company is selling:

• The best mulch in Nashville
• Superior planting soils for all applications
• Organic compost for boosting plant growth

As a local and boutique mulch yard, our family-owned and operated business takes great pride in delivering beautiful mulches and soils that are healthy and beneficial to gardens and lawns.

If you need mulch or topsoil for this season's outdoor projects, we have the best mulch in Nashville! Simply visit our website to place an order, or call our office at (615) 356.2600.