New Trees and Shrubs: Planting and Care Instructions
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Container Plantings (smaller plants and shrubs)
• Dig a hole twice the width and equal to the depth of the plant’s original container. The wider the hole the better, as the plant’s roots will grow more easily in uncompacted, enriched soil.
• Remove the plant from its container and lightly score or loosen the roots in all directions. Prune the roots and remove any girdling roots to ensure that the roots spread in all directions. This encourages beneficial root growth and helps the plant to settle in more quickly.
• Set plants into their holes at their original growing level. Never bury a plant deeper than its crown (where roots and stems meet). Buried crowns can allow water to collect at the base and cause harm.
• Plant 2" higher than ground level if you plan to mulch. Backfill the hole with soil and lightly tamp down the soil to remove any large air pockets.
Balled and Burlap Plantings (larger shrubs and trees)
• Be sure to keep the plant well-watered while above ground.
• Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough to leave the trunk flare exposed at the same level that it originally came out of the ground. Plant 1-2" above grade to allow the plant to settle. Backfill with original material.
• Take care not to disturb the root ball. You can loosen the metal cage at the neck of the plant, but leave it intact around the roots. Water will naturally dissolve the cage and burlap wrap over time.
• These plants typically have a large root system so a longer duration of watering may be necessary to provide adequate water.
• Do not fertilize the first year. Soil amendment is optional.
• Add a protective wrap or collar to all new plants to protect the trunk from deer damage and sun scald from September through March; remove for the growing season.
Mulch
Proper mulching helps keep plants moist, moderates soil temperature, feeds the soil, and reduces weed growth. Apply 1-2" of mulch over the exposed portion of the root ball. No mulch should touch the neck of the plant.
Weeding
Weeds compete with your new plants for nutrients and space. Keep your new landscape free of weeds to help your plants establish successfully.
Watering for New Plantings—It Depends!
No two situations are alike. In addition, a plant may show the same exact symptoms from having received too much water as it would from too little. So we ask your help before we dispense any advice…
Get your fingers dirty! Dig/check as deep as you can get down into the soil. There are layers to your soil: the first and second layers fill up first; the third—and most important layer—is where you’ll find the plant’s roots, about 6-12" below the surface.
Pull away the mulch and feel around the plant base to assess the current soil conditions—the ideal is moist to slightly damp.
• If the soil sticks to your fingers and is moist to the touch, then the plant is receiving adequate water. Recheck the soil in 2-3 days.
• If the soil is stone-hard, your plant is not receiving enough water. Give the plant a good, long soak and check the soil again in 2-3 days.
• If your soil conditions are muddy and mushy, the plant is receiving too much water. Stop watering now and allow the plant to dry out.
Watering Tips
All new plants need water to survive…but not too much!
• A longer, deep watering is preferable to frequent light waterings. Water the soil only, not the leaves or stems.
• Soil should be damp, not muddy, dry, or crumbling.
• Allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings.
• Soaker hoses are useful and simple to set up, but can easily lead to over-watering if we have wet weather. Be mindful of this, as over-watering can cause plants to fail, especially field-grown plants (as opposed to container-grown plants). Regulate soaker hose systems for proper moisture delivery.
• Monitor closely and tailor watering to each plant. Every plant has its own unique root system and will react to its environment differently.
• Larger plants like trees will require more water than smaller plants like perennials.
• Adjust watering for periods of heavy, sustained rainfall, as well as for periods of drought.
• Water in the morning to reduce pest and disease issues.
We recommend that your plants receive water specific to each season for the first 2-3 years after planting. Water 30-45 minutes as follows to thoroughly soak the roots of your new plants. If it rains, reduce your watering by the amount of natural rainfall received.
If you are experiencing stress with a plant or have any questions always reach out to one of our Nursery professionals for more information—we’re here to help!