Will I kill the poor, defenseless plants?

October 23, 2009 2:01 PM

Is late October late to plant some shrubs in the PNW?

I know autumn is the best time of year to plant shrubs, and I just found these beauties that I'd like to plant.

Is late October too late in the season to plant (I'm in the Seattle area to be precise)? I trolled some gardening forums but couldn't quite find the answer to such a simple question!

Thanks folks!

posted by Zoyashka to Home & Garden (4 answers total)

The book Gardening in New England (colder/harsher zones than the Seattle area) says October is good for planting evergreen shrubs, and Oct-Nov for deciduous. If it's OK in October in New England, it's probably OK where you are. Just be sure to use some winter protection on any new plantings.
posted by dayintoday at 2:26 PM on October 23, 2009

Here's the version of that book for your area, by the way. It's a great reference. Breaks care down by month and type of planting (trees, shrubs, etc.).
posted by dayintoday at 2:28 PM on October 23, 2009

Response by poster: Hey thanks dayintoday!

I think I'll go ahead and order that right now--looks like exactly what I need!
posted by Zoyashka at 2:38 PM on October 23, 2009

I'm in Seattle and we've planted a lot of evergreen & deciduous shrubs this time of year with no problem. They won't have enough time to get really established, so if we have a nasty winter like we did last year you may lose them, but if it's a normal year (and it's supposed to be warmer and wetter than normal) you should be okay.

I would ask at Swanson's or Sky Nursery and see what they say, if you can get there.
posted by Pantengliopoli at 2:48 PM on October 23, 2009