Fall is time to plant trees and shrubs. Dan Gill explains why it's better than waiting for spring.

For decades, I’ve been telling gardeners that fall is the best time to plant hardy trees, shrubs, vines and ground covers. And despite my efforts, March through May remains the prime season when gardeners head out to nurseries and garden centers to purchase these plants and add them to landscapes.

Based on how they grow, however, spring is not the preferred time to plant hardy trees, shrubs, ground covers and vines. Although the recommended planting season for hardy landscape plants is from late October to March, the fall season from late October to early December is the best time.

Let me explain why.

Understan ding where the food goes

Plants feed themselves by using the energy of the sun to create sugar from carbon dioxide and water. Food is produced in the green, photosynthesizing t