Planting Trees and Shrubs This Fall in Southwest Michigan

Fall is one of the best times to plant trees and shrubs in Southwest Michigan. As temperatures cool and the soil remains relatively warm, newly planted trees and shrubs can put their energy into establishing strong root systems before winter arrives.

For gardeners in the Kalamazoo area and throughout Southwest Michigan, fall planting is a great opportunity to add structure, shade, seasonal color, and year-round interest to your landscape. The key is choosing plants suited to your site and giving them a strong start.

Here’s how to set up your plants for a successful transition into your landscape this fall.

1. Picking an Appropriate Spot

Before you dig, take a close look at the planting site and consider the following:

How much sunlight does it receive?
Does the soil drain well?
Does the soil need amending?
How much room will the plant have as it matures? (This one is often not correctly considered, resulting in plants in too small of a space it needs, or too planted too close to structures or other plants.)

These details matter in Southwest Michigan, where yards can range from sandy or loamy soils to the heavy clay soils found in many areas. A plant that thrives in one Kalamazoo-area yard may struggle in another simply because the growing conditions are different, so make sure to select a plant suited to its future environment.

Most trees and shrubs prefer full to partial sun and well-drained soil. If you're not sure what will thrive in your landscape, our perennial team can help match the right plant to the right location. Just ask!

2. Digging the Right Sized Hole

When planting a tree or shrub, resist the temptation to dig a hole that's deeper than the root ball.

Your planting hole should be about twice as wide as the root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself. In many cases, setting the plant an inch or two higher than the surrounding soil is preferable. Planting too deeply can lead to poor drainage, stem or trunk problems, and slow root development.

Shape the hole with gently sloped sides and loosen compacted soil around the bottom and sides. The goal is to make it easy for new roots to grow outward into the surrounding soil.

3. Prepping the Soil

Although the soil you already have can often successfully be used as backfill material for a newly planted tree or shrub, we recommend also adding Morgan Composting’s Tree’nShrub Mix to give new plants a boost.

Tree’nShrub Mix is an organic compost specifically designed for trees and shrubs, and helps give them stronger bark, healthier foliage and fruit, and improved healing properties. It is also helpful in improving compacted, heavy, or otherwise poor soil structure by adding organic material, long-lasting minerals, and beneficial microbes.

A soil test is also a smart first step if you're unsure what your landscape soil needs for improvement. Michigan State University Extension recommends testing soil before planting and periodically afterward.

4. Inspecting and Planting

Gently remove your tree or shrub from its container and inspect the roots, making sure they aren’t bound. If they are, gently loosen them with your fingers or a small hand tool. This encourages roots to grow outward rather than continuing to circle.

For balled-and-burlapped plants, remove twine and cut away as much burlap as practical once the plant is positioned in the hole.

Position the tree or shrub so it is straight and the top of the root ball sits at or slightly above the surrounding soil level.

Take a step back and make adjustments as needed before you begin backfilling.

Finish filling by pressing soil in firmly, but avoid packing it down too hard. You want good root-to-soil contact without creating a compacted planting hole.

5. Water and Mulch

A good soaking settles the soil around the roots and provides the moisture plants need as they begin establishing, so be sure to water your tree or shrub deeply and thoroughly. Continue watering regularly through fall, adjusting for rainfall and your soil conditions.

Consider applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of mulch over the planting area to help conserve soil moisture, moderate soil temperatures, and reduce competition from weeds. Those benefits are especially helpful as new plants head into a Michigan winter.

Important: Keep mulch several inches away from the trunk or main stems and avoid creating a volcano of mulch around the base of the plant as it can encourage pests and disease.

6. Continue Care Through Fall and Winter

Periodically check newly planted trees and shrubs through the fall and winter, making sure mulch remains in place, and watching for extended periods of dry weather.

If a tree is particularly tall, has a large canopy, or is planted in an exposed, windy location, staking may provide temporary support. Use soft tree ties or fabric rather than wire or anything that could damage the trunk.

Remove stakes once the tree is established and able to stand on its own. Some trunk movement is beneficial because it encourages the development of a strong, stable tree.

Whether you're adding a shade tree, creating a privacy screen, replacing an aging shrub, or simply looking for more four-season interest, choosing plants that fit Southwest Michigan's growing conditions is the first step.

Stop by Westside Garden Center to find the trees, shrubs, soil amendments, mulch, and gardening supplies you need for a successful fall planting. And consider following us on (social media) Facebook and Instagram, for more local gardening inspiration, seasonal tips, and ideas for growing a landscape you’ll love.

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