A: The best time to plant is when temperatures cool and after the first rain, generally in late fall from late October to early November. Soils are still warm but are not too hot for tender new roots. The cooler, moister weather is less stressful for new plants and less favorable for soil pathogens that can infect them. You can plant through the winter as long as you give your new plants time to develop enough of a root system to carry them through the long, hot summer. Use the following table to help you schedule your planting session, but remember to take into account your weather conditions:
Annual seeds:
late October to December
Trees and Shrubs:
late October to the end of February
Subshrubs and Perennials:
late October to late April
Riparian plants (water-lovers)
all year, though best from late October to the end of February.
