10 Tips for Planting Success

Help your new plants and trees grow and flourish by giving them the best start possible. Follow these tips to avoid common planting mistakes such as planting below grade, over watering, and not correcting root-bound plants.
 

1. When selecting a site for plants, double check that the site will allow for mature size and that it meets the plant’s need for sun or shade.
2. When planting, mix ½ native soil and ½ soil conditioner or compost for your planting medium. Dig the hole about twice as wide as the pot.
3. Inside the hole, build up a base for the root ball to sit on and allow roots to hang down.
4. Avoid buying root-bound plants when possible. If a potted plant is root-bound, gently loosen roots and score sides of root ball with a knife. This encourages roots to grow into the soil.
5. Set the plant in the hole, making sure the potted soil is level with or slightly above existing soil. This ensures good drainage (poor drainage is a leading killer of plant material in clay soil).
6. Backfill the hole with amended soil, gently tamping the soil down to eliminate air pockets.
7. With existing soil, build a moat around the plant to help achieve deep watering.
8. Water thoroughly.
9. Apply mulch around the base of plants. This helps retain moisture and keep roots cool. Do not skip this step. Even if you decide not to mulch your entire bed, buy some bags of shredded bark or compost and lay down a two-inch layer around all newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials.
10. Don’t fertilize newly planted material the first season. This causes undo stress on the plant.

An important note about transplant shock:

If your newly planted material starts to show signs of transplant shock, don’t be tempted to begin watering every day. This will make things worse. Most plants take four to six weeks to get established and will show signs of stress during the process.
 
If you have mulched around the plant, continue a regular watering schedule (two to three times a week) and be patient. Transplant shock is a common occurrence and chances are, within three or four weeks, you will see new growth appear. New growth signals that the plant has established its roots. In some plants, most of the existing foliage will die after being planted, but new growth will soon take its place.