Q. I would like to plant a pomegranate tree this Fall but
I am worried that the weather is going to be cooling down soon. Do you think I
missed my opportunity for planting, and should I wait for Spring?
A. Just because it is getting colder doesn’t mean you
can’t plant. Ideally you want a few weeks of root growth in the Fall after
planting. The timing may not be optimum for root growth when soil temperatures
are cold, but it will still work out. If you find a variety you like, get it in
the ground.
Temperate
plant roots (like pomegranate) grow best when soil temperatures are between 60
to 75F but they still grow even when soil temperatures are as low as 45F. They
just don’t grow as fast. Try to plant early enough so that there are 4 to 5
weeks of warm soil temperatures before the soil gets cold.
How to
estimate the soil temperature? The best way is to buy a soil thermometer for
about $15 and measure for yourself but otherwise you can make a rough
approximation. Surface
mulch, rock or woodchips, conserve soil warmth in the Fall and insulate soil
from heat in the Spring and Summer months.
In my
experience, using your sense of touch is accurate to within about 5 degrees F
of temperatures ranging from the refrigerator (40F) to the spa (105F).
Fall
planting (early) is always superior to Spring planting (late) of winter hardy plants.