Every spring, nurseries are packed with eager gardeners loading carts to the brim. Trees, shrubs, and perennials go flying off the lot as if there’s a ticking clock that will slam the door shut on planting season. Many people think, “We need to get this in the ground before it’s too late!” Here’s the truth: spring isn’t the best time to plant most northwest plants. In fact, it can often be the hardest season on your new trees and shrubs. The real secret? Fall through early spring—those months when the soil is still workable and the weather is cooler - is your plant’s happiest window to settle in and get a healthy start. It’s time to flip the script and rethink the planting calendar.

Myth #1: “We Need to Plant This Spring Before It’s Too Late”

This is probably the most common misconception I hear. Homeowners scramble in April, May & June because they believe they’ll miss their chance. But what they don’t realize is that spring planting forces young plants to immediately battle soaring temperatures, drying soil, and a quickly intensifying sun.

Think about it from the plant’s perspective. A freshly transplanted tree or shrub has lost much of its fine root system when dug from the field. When placed in the ground in May or June, it’s already supporting new leaves, and could be expending energy on budding flowers or even new fruit. At the same time it’s trying to grow new roots in soil that’s warming and drying fast. That’s like moving into a new house right before you host a neighborhood block party. You’re busy unpacking boxes, but the doorbell won’t stop ringing.

Fall flips that scenario. When you plant in October or November, the above-ground part of the plant slows down. The leaves may even fall. That frees the plant to quietly rebuild its root system all winter long, without distraction. By the time spring arrives, it’s already established underground and ready to surge upward with strength. It’s entering or already in its dormant season and less susceptible to the stress caused by transplanting.

Myth #2: “Fall Is the Only Alternative”

I often hear a version of this: “Sure, fall is good—but once we hit November, it’s too late until next spring.” Not true. In most regions with mild winters, including the Pacific Northwest, planting can extend through winter and even into early spring. As long as the soil isn’t frozen solid or waterlogged, you have a large seasonal window to dig and plant successfully. Here’s why: roots don’t shut down in winter the way many people think. Research from university horticulture programs shows that root growth continues in soils as cool as 40–50°F, even when branches are bare. That means a shrub planted in January is quietly growing below ground while looking dormant above.

This is why nurseries offer ‘bare root’ shrubs and trees in Winter. They have recently been field dug and the sooner they go in the ground, the sooner they will begin establishing new roots and be prepared once their sap starts to become more active with warming Spring temps.

The Science Behind It

The advantages of off-season planting come down to basic plant physiology and soil science:

Soil holds heat longer than air. Long after frosty mornings arrive, the soil a few inches down is still warm enough for root growth.

Cool air reduces stress. With mild temperatures and shorter days, plants lose less water through their leaves (transpiration). Less stress = faster establishment.

Moisture is more reliable. In many climates, fall and winter bring steady rainfall. Instead of dragging hoses in July, you can let nature water for you.

Roots before shoots. In fall, energy goes to root development rather than flashy top growth. That underground head start means more vigorous plants next spring.

These aren’t just theories. Extension services from Oregon State University, University of California, and many others recommend fall planting for precisely these reasons.

What to Plant in Fall vs. What to Wait On

Not everything belongs in the ground during the cool months, but most woody and perennial plants do. Here’s a quick guide!

Best for Fall Planting:

Almost all woody trees and shrubs (both deciduous and evergreen) will benefit from the fall head start.

Perennial groundcovers and shade plants like ferns, hellebores, hostas, and native.

Pacific Northwest natives and other plants adapted to winter rainfall. They evolved to take advantage of cool, wet soils.

Can Extend Into Winter/Early Spring:

Bare-root plants such as fruit trees, roses, cane berries, and many native shrubs. These are often available from January through March and thrive when planted dormant.

Perennials in containers, especially hardy ones.

Better to Wait Until Spring:

Warm-season perennials such as salvias, agastache, and ‘warm season’ ornamental grasses. These need heat to get started and dislike sitting in cold, wet soil.

Mediterranean and desert-adapted species (lavender, rosemary, manzanita) if your soil drains poorly. They thrive when planted into warming, drier soils in late spring, but can be planted as long as we are after the threat of frost.

Tender perennials or borderline-hardy plants in your zone.These are better given warm, stable conditions to establish.

Reframing the Calendar

For decades, the nursery industry has trained gardeners to think of spring as planting season. But here’s a better framework: think of October through April as your planting window. This mindset has three big benefits:

Less stress for plants. They aren’t forced to sprint uphill in summer heat.

Less stress for you. Cooler days make digging easier, and natural rainfall helps with watering.

Better survival rates. Fall- and winter-planted trees and shrubs simply perform better.

And yes—nurseries stock great plants in fall. In fact, professionals often prefer planting jobs in autumn because they know the results will last, and most retail garden centers have late Summer & Fall sale events as they are trying to clear out the last of their seasonal inventory.

The Takeaway

Here’s the shift I hope you’ll make: planting isn’t a race against spring. You’re not “late” if you wait. You’re actually ahead of the curve. Fall through early spring gives your trees, shrubs, and perennials the best chance at thriving. You’ll water less, stress less, and enjoy stronger growth next season. So the next time you feel that spring panic rising, take a breath. The real secret is simple: when you plant in the off-season, you’re planting for success.

Thanks for the tips, Phillip! When Phillip Farris isn’t prepping garden beds and growing plants, he’s helping homeowners connect their landscape projects with the ecological realities of where we live as the Eugene Garden Coach. To learn more about what he does and how he can help you create climate-resilient gardens using naturalistic design, visit his website at https://www.eugenegardencoach.com

Why Fall (Not Spring) Is the Best Time to Plant: Break Free from the Spring Rush