Most folks think Spring is planting season. The nurseries are packed in April, the parking lots are full, and there's a particular optimism in the air that smells like fresh bark mulch.
But the fall gardeners know the secret: October is the real planting season in the Pacific Northwest. The soil is still warm, the rains are on their way, and while the tops go quiet for winter, the roots get to work. A tree planted now spends the cold months doing the invisible labor — by April, it's already home.
And here's the nurseryman's bonus: shop now, while the Fall sales are happening. Mountain ash, Japanese maples and Sweet gum are showing you exactly what color you're buying. No guessing from a spring tag. What you see is what you get. What you get is a plant ready and resting, setting the stage for next year.
