Bringing home new plants is an investment in the beauty and value of your landscape. With proper planting and watering techniques, your trees, shrubs, perennials, and annuals can establish strong roots and thrive for years to come. Follow these simple guidelines to help your plants flourish.
Steps For Success
Step 1: Dig
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so the top of the root ball sits approximately 2 inches above the finished grade. Planting slightly above grade promotes proper drainage and helps prevent settling.
For Balled & Burlapped (B&B) trees and shrubs, remove all twine and burlap from the top of the root ball. Cut away wire baskets if they cannot be fully removed, and always remove any rope or twine wrapped around the trunk.
Step 2: Mix
Create the ideal planting blend by mixing the native soil removed from the hole with your bag of soil conditioner and Bio-Tone Starter Plus according to package directions. Blend thoroughly and set aside for backfilling around the root ball.
This enriched soil mixture helps encourage strong root development and gives your new plant the best start possible.
Step 3: Place
Remove tree from container.
Gently pull the roots away from the root ball. After centering the tree in the hole, back-fill with your amended soil mixture. Don’t compact the soil. Gently tamp it down to remove any air pockets.
Step 4: Water
Deep water with a hose.
Don’t just rely on irrigation systems or sprinklers. They are designed to reach the top 2” of soil. Water thoroughly until the soil is saturated. The water needs to reach the roots (12” to 18” down) Water at least 2-3 times a week for the first year, especially during periods of heat and drought.
Step 5: Mulch
Mulch regulates temperatures, maintains moisture in the soil and prevents weeds. Apply at least 3 inches of mulch around the base. Do not extend mulch up to the trunk – leave several inches of clear space between the tree trunk and where the mulch starts.
Checklist, what you will need:
✓ Shovel
✓ Bio-Tone Starter Plus
✓ Soil Conditioner
✓ Root Stimulator
✓ Mulch
✓ Pruners or Utility Knife
✓ Garden Hose
Do's and Don'ts
DO ✓
- Deep water your new planting with a hose 2 to 3 times per week during the first growing season.
- Clean up your tree or shrub by removing dead wood, suckers, and any broken or damaged branches.
- Fertilize in March and July to encourage healthy growth and strong root development.
- Provide support if needed. If your tree is slightly unstable, install two stakes on opposite sides of the tree. Remove stakes after one year.
DON’T ✗
- Don’t drastically prune or cut back your tree or shrub at the time of planting.
- Don’t rely solely on an irrigation system to keep your new plants alive. Most irrigation systems only provide surface watering and may not deliver enough moisture to the root ball during establishment.
- Don’t leave stakes on indefinitely. Trees need to develop natural strength and movement, so remove stakes after the first year.