You’ve probably heard the saying: “The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The next best time is now.” Greg couldn’t agree more! In this episode of Fall Is for Planting, Greg is showing off some of the beautiful conifers at Willow Ridge and talking about why fall is such a great time to add trees to your landscape. Conifers bring year-round color, structure, texture, and privacy to the landscape, and planting in fall gives their roots time to begin establishing while cooler temperatures mean less stress on the plant. Twenty years from now, you’ll be glad you planted it today.

Want more butterflies, bees, and blooms in your landscape? 🦋 Greg is back with another Fall Is for Planting tip, and this time we’re talking butterfly bushes! Fall is a fantastic time to get butterfly bushes established. Cooler temperatures put less stress on newly planted shrubs while the soil is still warm enough for roots to keep growing. Plant now, and you’re setting the stage for a long-lasting pollinator paradise packed with blooms next season. Give your future butterflies something to look forward to. Stop by Willow Ridge and let us help you find the right butterfly bush for your landscape! Where East Tennessee Comes to Grow.

Want a yard full of color when spring finally rolls around? 🌷 Fall is when the magic starts! Lauren is joining our Fall Is for Planting series to talk about spring-blooming bulbs like tulips, daffodils, alliums, and more. Plant them this fall while the soil is still workable, then let winter do its thing. Come spring, you’ll be VERY glad you planned ahead. It’s one of the easiest ways to add big bursts of color to your landscape year after year. Stop by Willow Ridge, pick your favorites, and get them in the ground this fall! Plant now. Forget about them. Be ridiculously happy in spring.

Want a gorgeous fall porch pot without making a giant mess or overthinking it? Greg is back with another Fall Is for Planting tip, showing just how easy it is to create a beautiful seasonal container using our drop-in compostable pots. They’re already planted and ready to go. Simply drop the compostable container right into your favorite planter, and you’ve got an instant fall refresh for your porch, patio, or entryway. Easy, quick, and very little cleanup. 🙌 Stop by Willow Ridge Garden Center in Oak Ridge and check out the fall color while it’s looking GOOD!

Your workspace could use a little life! 🌿 Julia is sharing her top 3 plants for offices and desk spaces, including easy options that can handle the unique conditions that come with indoor workspaces. Whether you’re decorating a home office, cubicle, or desk, these plants can add some green without becoming your newest full-time responsibility. 😂 Stop by Willow Ridge and let us help you find the right plant for your space! 📍 Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping Oak Ridge, Tennessee Where East Tennessee Comes to Grow.

Is it time to overseed your fescue lawn in Tennessee? 🌱 Greg breaks down why the calendar isn’t the only thing you should be watching before you spread grass seed. September is typically prime overseeding season in East Tennessee, but soil moisture, daytime temperatures, cooler nights, and the forecast for the next 10–14 days can make a BIG difference in how well your new grass gets established. Before you seed, check the weather and give that new fescue the best possible start! 📍 Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping Oak Ridge, Tennessee Where East Tennessee Comes to Grow.

Think vegetable gardening season is over? Not even close! 🥦🥬 Cooler fall temperatures are perfect for growing cole crops like broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and collard greens. Greg, our Friendly Garden Guy, explains why now is a great time to get these cool-season vegetables in the ground and keep your garden producing well beyond summer. 📍 Willow Ridge Garden Center & Landscaping | Oak Ridge, Tennessee 🌱 Where East Tennessee Comes to Grow.

Yep… those mums you’re buying for fall can come back next year! 🌼🍂 The trick is giving them enough time to get established before winter and knowing what to do once the cold weather arrives. In this video, we’re sharing a few simple tips to give your mums the best chance of surviving winter and returning next season. Don’t toss those mums when fall is over—plant ’em!

The first round of fall veggies has arrived at Willow Ridge! 🥬🥦 We’ve got cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, cauliflower and lettuce ready for your fall garden. Fall planting season is officially getting started in East Tennessee!

We asked the Willow Ridge crew to choose their favorite piece of garden statuary and recreate the pose. That was the entire assignment. They took it WAY more seriously than expected. 😂 Who nailed it best?

Organic or synthetic fertilizer—which one should you be using? 🌱 It’s not necessarily a matter of one being “good” and the other being “bad.” They work differently, and understanding those differences can help you make a better choice for your plants, your soil and what you’re trying to accomplish. Greg breaks down organic vs. synthetic fertilizers, how they work and why there may be a place for both in your garden. Have a gardening question you'd like Greg to tackle next? Drop it in the comments!

Love a new houseplant but not the mess that comes with potting it? We've got you covered! 🪴 When you purchase a houseplant and pot at Willow Ridge, our potting bench is FREE for you to use, complete with the supplies you need to get your new plant settled into its new home—without covering your kitchen counter in potting soil. 😂 We also offer repotting services for a small fee, including plants you already own that are ready for a little more room. Bring your plant, pick out the perfect pot, and we'll help you get growing!