How to plant:
The most important time in a plants life is how it is treated when it is first planted. First,
make certain that the plant is well rooted in the pot. Roots should be surrounding the outside of the container. Soil should NOT fall away when you remove the plant. If a plant is pot bound
gently loosen the roots and spread them. Be careful not to injure the roots. Before you plant make sure that the soil is appropriate for the plant. Does it meet the plants particular requirements? Of utmost importance is that the newly installed plant is encouraged to produce a vigorous root system. If the soil is sodden- you do not have to follow the following advice.
Fill the hole with water and let it drain. Place the plant in the hole and fill with water again and let it drain. Promptly backfill. This will saturate the subsoil.
Dig a hole twice as large as the container in which the plant has been grown. Loosen the
soil on the edges of the hole. This will help make the surrounding soil permeable to water.
Remove the plant from the contiainer. (Tip- rootbound plants may be tipped on their side and gently massaged with your foot to loosen the rootball. DO NOT STOMP.)
Loosen tangled roots and spread them out into a circular shape.
At the bottom of the hole make a small mound and place the plant on top. Backfill up to 1/3rd of the hole with soil.
Fill the hole with water up to the level of the top of the hole. Let the water drain. This may
take several minutes. This will saturate both the rootball of the plant and adequately moistens the soil around the hole. This method is especially important when planting in the warm dry months.
Backfill the rest of the soil and leave a 2” moat around the base of the plant. Mulch the soil
with a one half and one half mixture of compost and fine bark. Follow the contours of the
moat, but do not fill. Use this moat to irrigate the plant for the first growing season.
Water the plant regularly depending on the weather until you see new growth, then you may water less frequently. It is important that the plant become well established in its
first season. Remember the soil should be moist, but NEVER BOGGY after several hours, unless of course it IS a bog plant
Water by filling in the basin.
Place mulch around the base of the plant, but not touching it and then in a berm around the outside. Mulch will keep the soil moist and prevent weeds and grass from competing.
Roots follow the soil moisture as they grow, the deeper the better.
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