Mount Pleasant DC Forum

Soderberg · Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2004 3:08 pm Post subject: too late for planting?

Is it too late to plant bulbs or rosemary and lavender? We just moved in and I wanted to do some planting but am worried that the plants will just die because it is too late. any suggestions would be welcome!

Nickel · Joined: 10 Aug 2004 Posts: 103

Definately not too late for bulbs -- but you better hurry before we start getting some real november weather. Rosemary and Lavender are a little dicier because they won't have enough time to get acclimated before we get hit by the cold weather. Better to wait for the spring on these plants.

John B. · Joined: 23 Mar 2004 Posts: 253

Welcome to Irving Street!

I agree it's too late in the season to plant any but the hardiest perennials (and rosemary is marginal here at best) but it's probably not too late for bulbs, assuming you can still find any that haven't been stored too warm and shriveled up.

The general rule of thumb is not to plant anything or make major landscape changes until you've lived in your new home for 6 months to a year. This is because there may already be bulbs and perennials that you can't see and shouldn't disturb. Realistically, if you just hold off until next spring you will get a better idea of what is already growing in your yard, what you might want to keep or remove, and where you can put new plants. This also give you time to observe what kind of soil and how much sunlight you have, which can make a big difference in what you can grow.