Planting Instructions and Aftercare

 Covington Creek Nursery has provided the following information to help insure the success with your newly purchased plant material. If you begin to notice your plant going into stress, please notify us immediately so that we have the opportunity to help. Plants do not die overnight and if stress is caught at an early stage the plant can often be saved if taken care of in the proper manner.

 50% of plant material that leaves nurseries dies. Please take the time to read over the instructions to insure the success of you newly purchased plant material. Your success is our success!

Step by Step Instructions:

1. Digging the Hole:

The depth of the hole that you dig will be the same depth of the root ball or the container. It is important not to dig the hole too deep, planting a tree or shrub too deep can kill it. If you are unsure about the depth it is better to go on the shallow side and berm the tree or shrub up rather than have to backfill. The width, on the other hand, should be substantially wider than the root ball or pot size. The ideal hole is going to be 3 times the diameter of the pot or root ball. This will provide a transition zone from the soil it is growing in to your native soil.

2. Preparing the Soil:

We recommend that you mix 50% of the soil that was removed from the hole with another 50% compost. You will want to also mix in a slow release transplant fertilizer in with the soil per the instructions on the product. The transplant fertilizer will help reduce any shock involved in the transplanting process as well as give the root system a little boost. Before replacing the soil into the hole make sure that the soil has been dampened so it does not dry out the roots. This amendment is crucial to help the root system establish in its new location, remember the part of the tree you can’t see is what makes the part you can see beautiful.

3. Time to plant:

Place the tree or shrub in the middle of the hole making sure that it is straight from all angles and then begin filling the hole with your nicely amended soil. Make sure the soil level is at the same level as it was in the pot or the burlap. If there is burlap then cut the twine around the trunk and pull the burlap and twine down to the sides in order to bury it. If you are planting a bare root tree you should notice a flare at the base of the trunk, this needs to be partially exposed. If your tree has not yet established this find the top of the roots and add an inch or two of soil on top of that.

4. Watering:

Proper watering is the single most important aspect of transplanting and maintaining your plant material. It is very important to get water on your new plant material immediately because of the fragile roots. The first few months after transplanting your plant is drawing most of its moisture from within the root ball, making regular watering essential. The most common mistake when watering is not getting water down far enough. This is caused by watering too fast, it is better to water slowly for a long period of time. When watering a tree set the hose down next to it on a slow drip for a half an hour.

5. Staking:

When stability is a problem, trees may be staked anywhere from 6 months to 3 years until the roots have grown enough to support the tree. The best method to staking a tree is to use two stakes, one on either side. Make sure to place the stakes outside of the root ball in order to provide support. You can purchase material to tie the stake to the tree or you can simply use a wire through piece of hose for around the trunk. Do not make the wire or any other material too tight around the trunk or it will cause girdling as the tree grows.

6. Mulching:

Studies have shown that mulch nearly doubles tree growth in the first few years after planting.  Mulch will help retain moisture in the soil as well as keep the roots cool during the heat of the summer and warm during the winter. Mulch should cover an area at least four times the diameter of the original root ball at a depth of 2-4 inches. Be cautious not too accumulate too much mulch around the trunk of trees or shrubs. Take note that if you choose to use bark as mulch it will steal essential nutrients from the soil such as nitrogen. You will want to compensate for this by fertilizing more frequently.

What should I consider when choosing a plant?

What about my soil?

The success of your plant can be highly dependant on your soil conditions in relation to your plants needs. Soil adjustments should be considered when choosing your plant. Poorly drained, clay-like soils, which are frequently found in urban developments, require procedures much different from the well-drained, crumbly soils found in older neighborhoods.

In order to determine the type of soil you have you must examine the soil texture which is dependant on the size of particles in the soil. Sandy textured soils are composed mostly of large particles, while clay soil contains microscopic particles. Clay soils do not allow are and water movement to reach the roots, which is essential for a healthy plant. Poor draining soil such as clay can be improved by amending the soil with a compost or fertile mulch.

What about my Exposure?

The amount of sunlight that a plant receives and the time of day the sunlight is received will determine which plants will thrive in which areas. When choosing a plant you will often be told whether it takes full sun, full shade or part sun and part shade. Full sun is considered about 6 hours a day, no matter when it is received. Full shade plants tolerate little sun with exception to morning sun which is cooler and typically will not harm shade plants. Part sun/part shade plants typically will not tolerate full sun and may not thrive in full shade either. You are safe with morning sun but will have to be careful not too get too much hot afternoon sun. Also remember that shady sights will not dry out as fast, and sunny areas tend to dry out faster requiring more water or a more drought tolerant plant. Keep these things in mind when choosing your plant material so that your plants are able to thrive with the least amount of effort. Remember that if a plant doesn’t seem to be thriving you can always move them to a more suitable location.

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