Spring is finally here and our thoughts turn to… planting! Nurseries and garden centers are full of beautiful plants so you load up your vehicle and bring them home. Now what? The most common reason for plant failure is incorrect planting techniques. A properly planted tree or shrub will be more tolerant of adverse conditions and require much less maintenance than one planted incorrectly. As you prepare to plant your garden treasures, consider the plant's drainage requirements, the soil type and the availability of irrigation water. Take into account the mature size and growth habit of the plant and give it adequate room to grow. Trees and shrubs that are planted too close together or too close to a house foundation will never develop properly. Make sure you know the plant’s light requirements and match those requirements as closely as possible. Be aware that a plant that can take full sun in New England will often need some afternoon shade during our hot summers here in the Mid-Atlantic. When in doubt ask you local garden center for advice.

Planting Procedures: Correct planting technique begins with the loading of the plant at the nursery or garden center. Home gardeners should be very careful with plant material. Always protect the roots, stems and foliage during transport. The plant tops should be shielded from winds. Never pick up a plant by the trunk. Lift plants from underneath the rootball. Container grown plants should be handled by the container and never by the tops of the plant. If plants cannot be planted right away, it is best to place them in a location protected from the wind and sun. Do not let the roots freeze or dry out during this time. If the delay in planting is more then a few days, plants should be "heeled in" by covering the roots with bark or some other mulch.

The Planting Hole: A current trend in landscape design is to plant trees and shrubs in large beds. When this design concept is followed, preparation of the entire plant bed area and not just individual holes is recommended. The organic matter, e.g. compost is uniformly mixed with the soil. This makes room for future growth and increases aeration to the backfill. When placing your plants in their new bed make sure the top of the soil around the root ball is level or slightly above the surrounding or fill soil. The most common reason for plant death is planting too deep. Plants get oxygen from the area near where the roots meet the trunk-so let your plants breathe. After planting, add a 2 inch layer of organic mulch on the soil surface around the plant. This will conserve moisture, discourage weeds and moderate soil temperatures.

Supplemental irrigation is critical for the plants during the first growing season. The rule of thumb is an inch of rain a week. If we get less rain than that, you’ll need to provide supplemental watering. It may take a season or more for newly planted trees and shrubs to settle into their new home, but once they get established you’ll be able to enjoy them for years to come.