Now’s the time to think about fall perennial care

Dry weather damages even the most established perennials. The roots are what will be damaged. When do you water? And what perennials to cut back this fall and then next spring?

Deeply watering your perennials before the ground freezes goes a long way to helping them through the initial transition into fall. After that, pay attention to winter precipitation, and if it gets dry and warm over an extended period, find a way to give your perennials some water. Water when the air and soil temperature are above 40 F. A little bit of water in the winter goes a long way. Perennials on the west and south side of the house will need more water and will dry out faster even in the winter. Late fall planted or bare root perennials will need water through the winter when there is no snow cover.

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