If the six-week absence of rainfall in September and early October foiled your plans to add plants to your garden, don't despair; get moving. Although more seasonal temperatures are in the forecast there is still a bit of time if you follow a few guidelines.

Evergreen trees and shrubs, unless planted in a rather protected spot, may need some extra protection. This protection can be a physical barrier like burlap or a spray to reduce water loss.

The issue with evergreen plants is that they continue respiration even during the winter. Although respiration slows greatly in cold weather the plant continues to use water. Problems can occur if the roots are not established enough to supply the needed water.

It most likely goes without saying that the larger the plant the larger the potential for problems.

Plants that lose their leaves are generally less problematic. At this time of year, as the leaves disappear, respiration almost ceases. In reality, the next several weeks might be the best time if adding a sizable tree to the landscape is planned.

Planting now would give you a bit of time for the roots to establish before the high demands of growth come in the spring. The soil temperature now is probably about the same as it is in late April and early May when most of us get into a planting frenzy.

Soil temperatures make the roots. Air temperatures make the plant. It goes without saying that good roots make good plants and poor roots make poor plants.

At this time of the year I would most likely pay a bit more attention to the overall hardiness of the plant. Things that are marginal or difficult should wait until next year.

Spring flowering bulbs can still be planted without much thought. Some weeks ago my daughter, Kris, covered that topic better than I ever could. Bulb Article

If thinking about perennials, reread the comments two paragraphs back and grab the shovel. Warm season ornamental grasses and lavender are two that quickly come to mind that are iffy on my late fall planting list.

My guess is that the vegetable garden has about run its course for the season. Planting a cover crop of something like rye now to be tilled in the spring will pay dividends over time.

I also threw out about 100 pounds of grass seed as part of a major project that commenced with the first rains about ten days ago. IÕm starting to see some hints and may be brazen enough to scatter a bit more in the next several days.

The only problem with planting now that I can think of, is that with a quick change in the weather the roots of container grown plants may not completely grab the soil. The up and downs of day and night temperatures may push the plant upward.

There have been occasions when I have seen plants heaved halfway out of the ground. I offer two solutions for this problem if it occurs. First find the family member with the biggest foot and have them press the plant back into the ground.

Second, if you let the ground freeze before you mulch your new plantings that will stabilize the soil temperatures and greatly reduce the potential for heaving.

The clock is ticking, time is running out, but your shovel could successfully do a few more errands if you wish.