Planting and Care Instructions

Planting Instructions

We would like you to succeed in getting your newly purchased tree or shrub established at home. The instructions below have been tailored to our local area. Please follow them carefully. If your planting site is distant or your conditions vary, feel free to call us for specific information.

Tools and Materials You'll Need:
Shovel and/or spade, water, peat moss, starter fertilizers.

Potted Shrubs

1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the container diameter and 50% deeper than the container is deep.
2. Remove the plant from the plastic container. (DO NOT remove plants in fiber pots.) To remove, turn pot sideways or upside down, tap bottom of the container to loosen soil from the pot. If necessary, slightly compress container sides or cut the container. Do your best to keep the soil ball intact. If the roots circle the outside of the soil ball make vertical cuts in these roots and tease them loose before continuing.
3. Prepare enough soil mix to backfill the hole partially so that when the soil ball is set in, its top will be 1-2" above ground level. Use a soil mix of 50% peat moss and 50% existing soil for most plantings. Add an appropriate amount of Start 'n Gro fertilizer to the soil mix. You may add liberal amounts of topsoil or compost when planting evergreens or azaleas.
4. Set the plant in place, making sure the top of the soil ball is at or just above existing ground level. Water, using Root Stimulator, to gently settle the soil. When the water drains away, backfill to ground level using the mix described above and water to settle again.

1. Dig a hole 2 to 3 times as wide as the diameter of the root ball and just as deep as the height of the root ball.
2. Backfill the perimeter of the hole with a planting mix composed of 50% peat moss and 50% existing soil for most plants. Substitute compost for half the existing soil when planting evergreens. Measure the height of the root ball and the depth of the hole to assure that the top of the root ball will be slightly above ground level (by 3-6"). In heavy clay soil as much as the top quarter of the root ball may sit above the existing grade.
3. Remove potted plants from their container. Do not remove burlap, wire or twine holding a burlapped tree. Set the plant in the hole. Then cut the twine where it circles the stem at the top of the root ball on burlapped trees. Peel the burlap and wire away from the trunk as much as possible.
4. Straighten the tree from all sides.
5. Continue to backfill until the entire hole is filled. Tamp of firm the soil with your feet as you go to gently compact it. Be sure to cover any exposed burlap.
6. Water gently to settle the soil, using Root Stimulator.
7. Do not replace sod that may have been removed in this area. Instead, spread wood mulch 3-4" deep in a 2-3 ft radius around the tree.
8. Do not stake newly planted trees unless they show excessive movement at the soil line or begin to lean too much. Allowing some movement will actually strengthen the tree's wood.

1. Keep roots cool and moist until planting. DO NOT allow roots to dry at any time!
2. Prune broken roots and exceptionally long roots.
3. Dig a hole large enough to spread roots toward the sides of the hole. Backfill with a planting mix of 50% peat moss and 50% existing soil to form a mound.
4. Set plant on top of the mound, spread roots laterally, assuring that the stem is at the same height in relation to ground level as it was in the nursery (indicated by a slight color change in the stem). Continue to backfill until the roots are covered and soil brought back to the original grade