Plants are going on sale all over town right now, and there couldn't be a better time to plant. While most folks think of planting a garden in springtime, fall turns out to be perfect for getting cold-hardy trees, shrubs, vines, perennials, and spring-blooming bulbs in the ground. The earth is still warm, supporting root growth, and the arrival of the rains keeps them well watered through the winter and late winter/early spring, when significant root development occurs.

Here are two of the best this weekend, and two that are today only.

TODAY ONLY:

Joy Creek Nursery in Scappoose is holding a 20% off dry border plants sale that ends today – including full-sun ornamental grasses, as well! Hours: 9-5 pm. Joy Creek Nursery – 20300 NW Watson Road, Scappoose OR / 503-543-7474

Jockey Hill Nursery, just up the road (also in Scappoose), is also holding a sale, today only… amazing prices (plants priced for as little as 50 cents each!) and a wide array of plants ranging from tried-and-true to genuinely unusual. Jockey Hill Nursery – as it is normally a wholesale nursery, please call for the address: 503-543-2614.

THIS WEEKEND:

Xera Plants is normally wholesale but they are open to the public this weekend:

WHAT: Xera Plants' Fall Fundraiser & Open House

WHEN: Thurs, Fri & Sat Sept 27, 28 & 29, 2012 from 10 am to 5 pm each day

WHERE: Xera Plants, 11220 SW Tonquin Rd., Sherwood OR 97140

What to look for: A large selection of salvias, drought-tolerant plants, lots of jasmines, and the most beautifully-grown array of Arctostaphylos (Manzanita) around. Also, check out the 4’inch sizes of typically pricier plants. Get them in the ground this fall and they’ll be the size of one-gallon plants by next summer.

Cistus Design Nursery is the PNW’s premier retail source for unusual plants, located on Sauvie Island.

WHAT: Cistus Design Nursery’s Annual Tough Love Plant Sale

WHEN: Sat September 29 to November 30, 2012 daily

WHERE: Cistus Design Nursery, 22711 NW Gillihan Loop Rd, Portland OR 97231 / 503-621-2233

What to look for: Drought-tolerant plants, unusual southern hemisphere and Asian plants, and the astounding array of cold-hardy succulents. The “Tough Love” sale - held this year in the front of the display garden instead of in the parking lot - includes plants at 75% off retail prices: 4-inch plants are $1!

This is the best time of the year to plant, and prices are never better than this. So get digging. Your garden will thank you for it.