Planting Directions

The plants that we sell at the garden center are available in two forms: container grown, which is growing in a pot, or balled and burlapped, also known as B&B.  B&B materials roots are wrapped with burlap and often held in a wire cage.  There is a difference in the way these plants should be planted, so please follow the instructions below.

Balled and Burlapped:

1. Measure the root ball from the ground to the top outer edge.  Dig the hole to that depth and no deeper.  The plant should sit on very firm undisturbed soil.  The hole should be at least six inches wider than the root ball, wider if the soil quality is poor.  Remember to put the soil you have removed off to the side so that you can use it later.
2. With everything still intact, including the burlap and wire cage, if there is one, carefully maneuver the plant into the planting hole and check that the depth is correct.  The top outer edge of the root ball should be level with the surrounding ground or just slightly above.  Water should move away from the trunk area.  Turn the tree to face the direction you would like and make sure it is straight.
3. At this point add just a few scoops of soil and tap it around the bottom of the root ball tightly just to keep it upright and straight.  Fill the hole ¾ with water to give the plant a good drink.  Do not skip this and remember the water in the hose should not be hot.
4. While the hose is filling the hole you will now be able to remove all the strings or rope from the top, including the trunk covering and remove the burlap from just the topmost portion of the root-ball.  The burlap will decompose in no time, but every bit of string must be removed from the trunk area.  The corners of the metal cage will now fold down into the hole.  Do not try to remove the entire cage.  The roots will grow right through it. Scrape the top surface area of the roots lightly and remove any excess soil that maybe on top of the roots.  This may be easier to do with the pressure from the hose.
5. Now you should improve the portion of the soil you removed from the hole by mixing it with a good rich compost amendment.  This will give your plant a healthy start and help it acclimate to its new location.  The mixing ratio for a tree or shrub should be 1/3 compost to 2/3 soil.  For plants preferring rich soil, you can increase the ratio to 50/50.
6. Backfill ¾ of the planting hole with the compost amended soil.  Fill the hole with water again and add the recommended amount of root stimulator (available at the garden center) to the water.  This watering is critical.  It will eliminate air pockets in the soil and ensure good moist soil for the plant all the way to the bottom.  Until it becomes a mature established plant, dry soil is a killer for most new plants.
7. For the top portion, amend more of the soil for backfilling but also mix in the recommended amount of granular fertilizer.  Plant tone is a great organic fertilizer and is also available at the garden center.  Backfill the rest of the planting hole with the soil and fertilizer combination.  The top of the backfilling soil should be level with the outer edge of the root ball.  Do not cover the top of the root ball with any soil.  Do not tamp down the soil.  You want future water to seep into the soil easily. 
8. Lastly, cover the soil with 2-3” of bark mulch, being careful to taper the mulch so that none is touching the trunk or covering the crown if it is a shrub.   (the crown is the surface portion of the plant with space between multiple branches growing out of the soil)

Container plants:

1. Thoroughly water the potted plant to ensure that the root ball does not fall apart during planting.  Measure the plant from the ground to the soil level inside the pot.  Dig the hole to that depth and no deeper.  The plant should sit on very firm undisturbed soil.  The hole should be at least six inches wider than the root ball, wider if the soil is of poor quality.  Place the soil that you remove off to the side so you can use it later.
2. Carefully remove the plant from the pot.  It may be necessary to cut the pot.  After it is removed f the roots are visibly thick, score the roots with a knife and gently detangle them a bit.  Avoid leaving the exposed roots in the sun or wind any longer than necessary.  Gently place the plant into the planting hole and make sure the depth is correct.  The top outer edge of the soil should be level with the surrounding ground or just slightly above.
3. At this point add just a few scoops of soil and pack it around the root ball just to keep it upright and straight.  Fill the hole ¾ with water to give the plant a good drink.  Do not skip this.
4. Now you should improve the portion of the soil you removed from the hole by mixing it with the good rich compost amendment.  The amendment is needed to help give the plant a good healthy start and get the plant acclimated to its new home.
5. Backfill ¾ of the planting hole with the amended soil.  Fill the hole with water again and add the recommended amount of Root stimulator (available at the garden center) to the water.  This watering will eliminate air pockets and ensure good moist soil for the plant therefore reducing transplant shock.  Do not tamp down the soil.
6. For the top portion, amend the remaining soil with granular fertilizer.  Plant tone is a good organic fertilizer.  Backfill the remainder of the hole with the newly amended soil.  The top of the backfilling soil should be level with the outer edge of the top.  Do not cover the top of the roots with any soil.  The tree flare or shrub crown must remain uncovered.
7. Water once more and then cover the soil with bark mulch, being careful to taper the mulch so that none is touching the trunk or covering the crown.

*****  Water is vital to the survival of your new shrub or tree, water should take place as much as every other day during dry hot weather.  Watering should be done slowly and for a long period, but never done every day.  As the plant becomes established watering can be reduced.*****