Planting A Tree Or Shrub

 

Once you have purchased your tree or shrub it is vital that you plant them as soon as possible. This way they are less likely to become damaged or suffer from drought. This is important even if you have purchased container grown trees and shrubs as you will never water them as regularly as the nursery or garden centre would. If you cannot plant your container grown trees or shrubs immediately then water them well and leave them in a sheltered area. If these are tall plants then then carefully tie them to a support or lay then down to avoid any damage.

If the ground you are planting in is very dry, then fill the hole with water and allow the water to drain away before planting. This will help the surrounding soil to become moistened. It is also a good idea to create a 'moat' around the planting hole so that any water will drain straight onto the roots.

If the planting area is composed of very heavy soil, dig as large a hole as possible and mix in grit and compost with the soil. This will reduce any sump problems occurring. This is where the rootball and compost act like a sponge, drawing in excess water and drowning the plant. Another idea for very heavy soils or waterlogged ground is to plant your trees and shrubs on a mound or raised bed.

Make sure that the hole you dig for you tree or shrub is large enough. The hole should be larger than the size of the plants rootball. Try to make the hole at least fifty percent bigger than the pot the plant came in. Bare-root trees and shrubs need to be 'heeled in' or temporarily planted so that their roots do not dry out. If the plants are only going to be left overnight then it is okay to cover the roots in damp cloths or hessian. It is important that the planting hole is dug first before lifting them so they can be planted straight in.

Before planting any trees or shrubs it is wise to create a good planting mixture. This is done by mixing manure or compost with the dug out soil, adding fertilizer will also help. By doing all this you are improving the texture of the soil and also the nutrient content of the soil. Another important factor is that any trees or shrubs are well watered in.

The more experienced gardener will have a checklist of things to do before planting. Check that rootballs are not congested and if they are tease the roots apart. Soaking the rootball in water first for a couple of hours will help make this easier. To make sure you plant at the correct depth place a cane over the hole and use this as a guide to help position the roots. Also make sure that any roots are not left exposed after planting as this will prove to be disastrous.

 

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