Planting Trees & Shrubs
Before You Plant
Always Plant in well-drained soil. To test for soil drainage, dig a
hole for your new plant and fill it with water. If the water doesn't
drain in 24 hour, plant elsewhere.
The Planting Hole
To
plan your tree or shrub, dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the
root ball. Save this soil in a pole nearby to use later. Once the plant
is in the hole, the top of the root ball should be level with the
surface of the ball.
Placing your plant in the hole
Remove all tags, wires or ropes from the stems or trunk. Sprinkle half of the appropriate amount of
Master Start into
the bottom of the hole. Ease the pot off of the plant without
disturbing the root ball. Cut any circling roots and place the root
ball in the hole. Mix the soil you dug out of the hole 50/50 with an
organic soul such as
Bumper Crop and mix in the remaining half of the recommended amount of
Master Start.
Use this native/organic soil mixture to backfill your planting hole.
When the hole is about half refilled, straighten and level the plan and
tamp the soil down carefully. Water deeply, then finish backfilling the
hole to its original level. Use excess soil to build a ring 6 to 10
inches from the outside of the hole. Water will collect in the saucer
and move slowly down in the root zone of the plant.
Watering
Water your newly planted tree or shrub by using a slow, deep watering
method. Newly planted plants' roots dry out faster than the soil around
them, so it is important to monitor their soil moisture. Water slowly
to attain deep water penetration which encourages widespread root
development. In the spring and summer, you should deep water at least
every other day that it doesn't rain for the first 5 to 6 weeks.
Mulching
Add a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the plant. This will help
prevent water loss and weeds, shade the soil where the roots will be
growing, and keep mowers and trimmers from getting too close to the
plant. Avoid overly deep mulch up against the trunk or stems of the
plant as this can promote disease or pest injury.
Planting Perennial and Annual Plants
Spread a layer of organic soil such as Bumper Crop about one
inch deep. Blend this in by turning over the soil. Place your plants
around your planting area while still in their pots. Make sure you have
taken into consideration the mature height of the plant as well as sun
or shade requirements. Determine the approximate location from
planting, then dig a hole as deep and twice as wide as the pot. Water
your plants thoroughly, then remove them from their pots by inverting
them and supporting the root ball.
If the roots have grown out or compacted against the pot or container,
'feather' the roots out by using your fingers to gently pull the
surface roots away from the root ball, This will encourage new roots to
grow away from the root ball and out into the new soil.
Sprinkle the recommended amount of Master Start into the hole,
then place your plant into the hole and make it ground level. Water the
plant thoroughly to insure that the soil fills in completely around the
roots, eliminating air pockets.
Monitor your plants daily. Water slowly so as to attain deep water
penetration which encourages widespread root development. Feed all the
flowering plants every 10 days to 2 weeks with Bud & Bloom fertilizer.
Add a 2 to 3 inch layer of mulch around the plant. This will help
prevent water loss and weeds. Shade the soil where the roots will be
growing, and keep mowers and trimmers from getting too close to the
plant. Avoid overly deep mulch up against the trunk or stems of the
plant as this can promote disease or pest injury