Discounted Perennials to purchase in the Fall

by Anne
(New Jersey)

Many garden centers discount their perennials in the Fall. I live in New Jersey and often wonder if it is wise to purchase these "bargains" and if they will have enough growing time to get established before winter. Is it okay to do this?
Thanks for all the great gardening advice.

Doug says that he routinely plants and moves perennials in the fall. Generally, a perennial requires 8 weeks of cool weather but not freezing soil to establish itself well enough to survive the winter. This is longer in colder climates. Generally, in a USDA zone 4 - I try to have everything done up by the end of September. Add a week for every zone warmer.

I do note that global warming is changing this date and I suspect I could push this back a few weeks with no serious problems.

The trick is to get good root development so the plant doesn't suffer in the freeze-thaw and root disturbances of spring. That's what does most of the damage in my experience to most common perennials.

Can you buy them and take the chance? The earlier in the fall it is - the more I'd pay. When it got to within a month of freezeup or real winter - the lower that price has to be.

But it's a judgment call. Offer me a plant I'd like, at a really good price, and I might just be tempted to try it anyway. :-) But then again, I'm hopelessly addicted to the challenge. (Mulch heavily in these cases) :-)