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PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Preparation
New plants should be planted as soon as possible. If you have to maintain the plants for a few days before you are ready to plant, it is very important to protect them against moisture loss. Store plants in a shady, wind protected area, and keep the soil evenly moist.
Size of Planting Hole
It is very important to dig your hole at least 12 cm larger than the root ball on all sides to allow for soil enrichments before planting. When planting large heavy balls, the soil at the bottom of the hole should be left solid to prevent the tree from settling lower. The finished level of the tree should be the same at it was grown, or up to 8 cm higher.
Balled and Burlap
Many larger sized trees and shrubs have the root ball wrapped in burlap and secured with string or rope. Wire baskets are often used to secure larger specimens. They must be planted as they are (burlap, rope and wire basket). Fill around the ball with a good soil mix to three-quarters and water thoroughly.
Untie the string or rope from around the trunk or stems. Fold back burlap and ropes and tuck down out of sight. If your tree or shrub is contained in a wire basket, fold back the loops and push down, leaving the wire basket on. Add more good soil mix to fill the hole. Water again using a root-stimulating transplant fertilizer.
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Fibre Pots
When planting with fiber pots, leave the pots on. These pots are made of paper and will rot in the soil. Break off the pot rim down to the soil level. Make three cuts halfway up from the bottom. Do not remove the bottom of the pot. Fill in around the pot will good soil mix. Water thoroughly with a root-stimulating transplant fertilizer.
Plastic Pots
Water thoroughly before removing from the pot. Use your fingers or a knife to gently loosen and spread exposed roots that appear crowded. Make several vertical cuts 13mm to 2.5cm deep through the root mass to free matted or circling roots.
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Easy Steps to Success
- Plant your new tree or shrub NO deeper than it grew.
- Good drainage is important, especially in clay soils. Simply enlarge the size of the hole and raise the level of the planting area 5-8 cm above the surrounding grade.
- Dig your hole at least 12 cm larger than the root ball on all sides to allow for soil enrichments before planting.
- High phosphorous "Transplanter" fertilizer should be used during the first season only.
A good soil mix is 50% soil, 25% peat moss, and 25% manure.
- You can help prevent permanent damage or discoloration caused by drying out of evergreens by watering thoroughly in the fall, before freeze-up.
- Water when soil feels dry to the touch, 5-8 cm down into the root area. Continue this form of watering until the plant is well established and growing. Downspouts and sprinklers should be diverted away from plants. Plants grown in plastic pots tend to dry out quicker, so frequent watering may be necessary until plant becomes established. It usually takes a few weeks for the roots to extend beyond the root ball, so check this area as well. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
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