Would it be too late to plant near end of August?

[Return2thebasic]

I have a new garden to plant. Found some plants online which I really like. I'm intending to place the order for delivery near end of August when I come back from holiday. But I also hesitate if it's too late to plant ordinary plants.

i know different plants have different optimal planting seasons. But frost would be not far once September starts. Would it be better off wait until spring? (But my hands are really itchy!)

It’s the perfect time to plant perennials - they’re in the sales and they put out roots all autumn then flower amazingly next year. I promise!

Sept - Oct is prime time for planting perennials - they have time to put good roots down before sitting out the winter. So August would be fine if you keep them well watered (a water can for every square metre every time the surface of the soil dries).

@SwayingInTime, @MereDintofPandiculation, thanks for the info. I will complete the order this evening.

Dig a decent sized hole for each plant, add in a couple of handfuls of good compost mixed with a bit of bonemeal or commercial slow release fertiliser, fill the hole to the surface with water and allow it to drain then plant. The plants will get away to a good start before shutting down for the autumn. Remember to tease out the roots a little bit to encourage them to grow into the surrounding soil rather than in the shape of the original pot.

Dig a decent sized hole for each plant, add in a couple of generous handfuls of good compost , fill the hole to the surface with water and allow it to drain then plant. Water the plant in to settle the soil around it.

I would also nip off most of the flower heads and all seed heads to encourage the plant to put energy into roots not seeds.

Now how did that happen! I think I tried to take out the bonemeal and fertiliser bit, because actually you probably wouldn’t want to do that in a late summer planting. Sorry!

Also you can plant bulbs for next year