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Planting New Shrubs
Planting
1. Begin by digging a hole approximatly two times as
wide and half as deep as the root ball of the plant. If
the soil is very dry, fill the hole with water and allow
it to drain and saturate the surrounding soil.
2. Add a granular high phosphate fertilizer, such as
bone-meal or granular Ortho Upstart, to the bottom ot
the planting hole and cover with 1 to 2 inches of soil.
Do not allow the plant's roots to come into direct
contact with the fertilizer.
3. Remove the plant from the pot carefully. Remove it by
laying the plant on its side, grasping the base, and
pull gently. If the plant resists, cut the pot away from
the root ball.
4. Loosen roots at the bottom and sides of the root ball
by breaking a few roots with a knife or a shovel. Potted
junipers especially benefit from "rough treatment" as it
allows new roots to grow from the cuts into new soil.
5. OPTIONAL: If your soil is poor or sandy, enrich the
backfill soil with peat moss or compost (1 part to 3
parts soil). This added organic matter will increase the
aeration and moisture retention of your soil and help
the shrub establish its root system sooner.
6. Set the plant in the hole and adjust the level of
soil underneath to make the top or the root bal even
with the ground level. Backfill the sides until they are
about 2/3 full. Tamp this soil in with the handle end of
your shovel or settle the soil with water from the hose.
Backfill the remainder of the planting hole and tamp in.
With remaining soil, construct a shallow basin around
the top of the root area by mounding soil in a ring
around the plant. |
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Fertilization
Once the shrub is planted, water it thoroughly with a
mizture of water and a low-analysis fertilizer, such as
Ortho Upstart. This combined with the high phosphorous
fertilizer which you have added to the planting hole
should be all the shrub requires for its first growing
season. |
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Watering
During the first growing season, your new shrub will
require special care in watering. This is due to the
fact that the root ball of your new shrub cannot absorb
water as well as the soil surrounding it. Here are some
watering tips:
1. Water new shrubs at least twice a week. During hot,
dry or windy weather, water more often.
2. Apply enough water to completely saturate the new
root ball. This isaccomplished best with a slow running
hose or a five gallon bucket. Sprinklers will not
sufficiently water deep enough.
3. DON'T OVER WATER! |
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 Ranunculus
Radiant |
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 Peony
Bashful |
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 Iris
My compliments |
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BILLINGS
GARDENING ORGANIZATIONS
