Four Easy Steps to Planting Trees
and Shrubs
Determine Hole
Size and Dig. Dig a hole at least twice the size needed for the root
ball. That means if your root ball is 1 ft in diameter, you should dig a hole
2 feet deep and 2 feet across. When digging your hole, put the sod to one
side and put the rest of the dirt in your wheelbarrow. Mix your
"hole" dirt with like volume of compost, composted manure and
peat.
.
Open up the root ball, untangle some of the main roots
and put enough amended dirt back into the bottom of the hole to support the
root ball at the correct level. Now put the plant in and stake it vertical
with four lines.
Place Plant in Hole and Stake in Place at Correct Level
Fill Hole Halfway and Drench Fill the hole 1/2 full with amended dirt and the rest of
the way up with water. This insures the Roots and Rootlets make good
contact with the soil, do not dry out, and can begin growing again right
away.
After the water drains down, fill it up the rest of the
way with amended dirt. Make a raised ring around the plant with dirt to
form a basin and water until basin holds water. If the plant is a large
bareroot plant, you may want to add a couple of gallons of liquid
fertilizer high in Phosphorous and Potassium to encourage new root growth
Finish Filling Hole and Drench Again
