Guest Author - Sue Walsh
Spring is the prime season for planting trees and shrubs. Here are some tips to keep in mind to make sure your plantings are successful!
Selection- Selecting the right specimen is one of the most important things you can do to insure success. Pick saplings with a tall point. For specimens with multiple trunks, make sure they are full and healthy. Avoid any trees or shrubs that look dried out, damaged, or show signs of disease or insects. Also keep in mind how large your selections will be once they are full grown. A sapling may look cute and compact now, but once it becomes a 50-foot giant, it may be more of a nuisance than a showpiece. Be careful when planting near sidewalks and driveways too, to avoid future damage from spreading roots. Such damage can prove both hazardous and costly.
Plant Smart- When it comes to digging holes for your new plants, keep in mind that while a simple shovel can do the job, it won’t be easy and can cause some serious back pain. Consider using a tiller or cultivator to loosen the soil before you start digging. Be sure your hole is the same depth as the container or root ball is, no deeper. The width should be about three times the diameter of the root ball. For shrubs, be sure to space them at least two feet apart to insure ample growing room. To plant, place the root ball in the hole, fill with soil, tamp down lightly and water thoroughly. Continue to water once a week for the rest of the season, unless Mother Nature does it for you. Very young saplings should be supported with wooden stakes until they grow strong enough to withstand strong winds on their own.
Mulch- Once you’re done, mulch thoroughly. Cover the soil with a few inches of mulch to keep out weeds and conserve moisture. Mulching the area around your trees also eliminates the chances of them being damaged by your lawnmower since there will be no need to mow!
Feed- Young trees appreciate a fall feeding. Well-rotted manure and bone meal or compost is best. If you decide to use a commercial fertilizer, the rule of thumb is 2lbs of 10-10-10 for per inch of the tree’s diameter.
Armed with these tips, your tree and shrub plantings should flourish! Have any questions or comments? Stop by the Gardening Forum and join in!
