You have had the best of intentions to add a few more shrubs to your landscape. Or put in some bulbs for spring color. Or plant that fruit tree for some summer peaches. There is still time!
This 2017 fall season in Southeast New Hampshire has been warm and the recent storms have helped replace some moisture in the soil. Many places just recently experienced their first frost. All of these factors combine to mean that you still have time to plant.
Bulb Planting:
You can plant bulbs anytime before the ground freezes. Select a location with good drainage and full sun. If you have clay soil, amend it with gypsum, sand, compost and bark. Dig the bulb hole to the depth recommended on the packaging and add bulb food to the hole. Position the bulb pointy side up and backfill with a good compost mix like Bumper Crop. Water thoroughly and wait until spring for a colorful show!
Trees and Shrubs:
Trees and shrubs still have enough time to root into the ground before the ground freezes. By November though, they need some extra attention in planting. Holes should be backfilled with a mixture of soil and good compost mix like Bumper Crop that provides mycorrhiza fungi to encourage root growth. Superthrive root stimulant used in conjunction with watering once a week can also be beneficial to getting roots established before the winter months set in. Depending on the size of your tree, you may want to consider staking it against harsh winter winds. Mulch around the base but NOT up to the stem/trunk to help protect roots. Wrap young tree trunks to help protec them form rodent girdling in the winter.
Before digging a deep hole, remember to check with Dig Safe to lacate any underground utilities.
Fall rainfall is usually plentiful, but if there is not at least an inch of rain per week, then watering needs to be supplemented in order to give trees the depth of water the roots will need. Newly planted trees will need to stay well watered until the ground freezes so they get a good start before going into full dormancy.