Finding fall bargains

When autumn comes, nurseries and plant centers will put plants and trees on sale. This is the time that the frugal gardener can make a killing on plant materials if you know generally what you're looking for. You have to be careful of course, because these plants have likely been in the garden centers all summer.

I would never buy an annual, like a petunia or marigold, at this point because their lives are about over. But annual pansies do well in cooler weather and there are often new crops of pansies available. This means that pansies usually aren’t sale material until the plant center is about to close for the season.

There are a couple of reasons that plants go on sale, beyond the fact that nurseries don’t want to take care of them over the winter. Often the nurseries will have an overstock of something that was popular last year but wasn't this year. Or perhaps something didn't bloom like it was supposed to and didn't sell because the color was not right. 

Other times, the plant looks puny. These are the ones to be wary of. Perhaps it was knocked over and the top or the roots were damaged. It might have insects or maybe it is so pot-bound that it cannot absorb enough water to keep it looking healthy.

A root-bound plant still in the pot.
Image from http://www.homedesigndirectory.com.au

So if you find healthy perennials on sale, you need to look at the bottom of the pot and see if the roots are sticking out of the drainage holes. The biggest challenge with ‘end of the season’ bargains is that they are often root bound or pot bound. Both terms mean about the same thing- lots and lots of roots circling the sides and bottom of the root ball. When you remove the plant from the pot, you will see mostly root and not much soil.

These can be successful in your garden and if you like the plant, buy it. Just know that it will take more effort to plant it since it is root bound. You have to cut the roots in several places and spread the root ball so the roots will grow out into the native soil.

Trees are often a great deal and if planted well, can be a successful investment. Remember when buying trees to be aware of problems in shape or trunk damage which have resulted in many trees not selling at full price. 

When you plant in the fall, the soil is warm enough to allow some new roots to develop. But you MUST water these new plantings over the winter on warmer days because they won’t have enough root system if we have a dry winter. Also, mulch them to reduce the likelihood of frost heave.

All this being said, I cannot pass up fall plant clearance sales. I have gotten great bargains which thrive and I have lost some of these bargain plants over the winter. But there is a bit of a thrill to come home in fall with five plants that would have cost twice as much in June. And I have succeeded far more than I have failed, which always pleases my thrifty soul.