With spring rains and milder temperatures, this is the perfect time to plant or transplant trees and shrubs.
We need to replace a few things that died over the winter, transplant an over-enthusiastic shrub to a spot where it will have more room and of course there are always new plants that need to come home with me!
Here are a few tips to ensure success;
1. Weather; choose an overcast, non-windy, cool day
2. Digging the new hole; as deep as the root ball and twice as wide is the rule of thumb.
3. Fertilizer; sprinkle bone meal or bulb food into the planting hole. This stimulates root production
4. Amending the soil; there is some debate today as to whether it is a good idea or not to add compost to the native soil when backfilling the planting hole. Some authorities feel that we are creating a falsely 'cozy' environment, discouraging roots from pushing out into the non-amended soil. Personally I do still add some compost, hoping that I am reducing the possibility of transplant shock.
5. Water; newly planted trees and shrubs need regular water for the first 1-2 years. Soak the ground slowly and thoroughly over the entire root zone and several inches beyond (roots will not move into dry soil, preferring to stay in the more favorable moist environment). Do this at least twice a week when first planted or more in hot or windy weather
6. Consider adding a watering tube; insert a length of 3" irrigation pipe alongside the rootball when planting, with the holes facing the roots. Pour water directly into the pipe to get water to the bottom of the root ball (see photo at top). After a year this can be removed and filled in with soil.
7. Mulch; add 1-2" of compost or mulch to improve moisture retention
