Planting Guide

How To Plant

Dig a hole as deep as the pot (no deeper) and at least a third wider.  Mix organic matter (peat moss, top soil, compost) into the soil to be used to fill in the hole.  Backfill, firming soil around root ball.  Water thoroughly! (See How To Water).    Cover surface of soil with bark mulch to keep roots cool and help hold moisture in.  Apply 2 or 3 inches –  more is NOT better.  Don’t pile bark up against tree trunks or on top of the crowns of perennials.

Sandy Soil

Plants need organic matter to hold water and nutrients.  Water runs right through sand.  Add top soil, peat moss, and/or compost to existing soil.  Mix well.  Fill in around root ball.  Be prepared to water consistently every week for the first year.

Clay Soil

Clay soil doesn’t drain well.   Most plants can’t sit in soggy wet soil.  Work in plenty of top soil, compost or peat moss to loosen up soil (Don’t add sand!  It doesn’t improve clay soil.)  If very heavy clay, raise root ball above ground level and add top soil to make mound.  Mulch.  Most important:  Select plant material carefully!  Don’t use Rhododendron, Dogwood or Redbud!  Ask us for a list of clay tolerant plants.

How To Water

This is the MOST IMPORTANT detail!  Soak thoroughly after planting.  Place a soaker hose or sprinkler at base of plant and water for twenty minutes.  The goal is to saurate the soil as deeply as the root ball.  Faithfully water once per week in the spring.  During hot summer weather increase to twice per week.   Large evergreens (4 ft. or larger) and Redbuds and Dogwoods need watering twice per week in spring and every other day in the summer.   Electronic water timers can be attached to an outside faucet to do it automatically for you.   Regular watering means better root growth and a faster growing plant.   No water means a dead plant.

How To Feritilize

At planting time mix a slow-release fertilizer into the soil such as Espoma Plantone or Root n Grow liquid with root stimulators, or Miracle Gro liquid fertilizer.  The following year, fertilize again.

Protection

Protect bark from danage by mice, rabbits, sunscald, and weed whips.  Wrap the tree wrap for the first year.  Thin barked trees such as young Maples are prone to frost cracks in late winter/early spring  which can be prevented with tree wrap.

Guarantee

We guarantee our plants to be healthy at time of sale.  If your purchase dies within 6 months or within the growing season, we will replace it or give you credit.  Please follow above instructions.  If you are away in the summer, make plans to provide your plants with water.  Electronic water timers are an excellent inexpensive investment.  We cannot be responsible for plants that die due to lack of water, the ravages of Mother Nature over the winter, or damage due to weed whips, animals, etc.

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