Know what you are planting. Each plant has it preferred climate, soil and sun exposure preference. Often times these details are located on the plants marker. This will help guide you to where you should place the plant.
- Using a spade shovel, remove any grass or mulch from the surface of your location. Dig a hole that is 2 times bigger in diameter and depth then the container the plant is in. By digging a bigger hole you are breaking up the compacted soil around the roots and they can grow outward easier. Place the soil removed off to one side of the hole.
- You can mix in compost to the removed soil at this time if you wish. This will add nutrients to the plant.
- Gently squeeze the plants container if possible. Hold the container upside down with one hand and place your other hand at the base of the plant. Gently pull the container off the plant.
- Gently break up the roots if root bound.
- Center the plant in the dug hole. Check that the surface of the plants soil matches the surface of the ground. You will need to add some soil back into the hole until it is level. You can lay a piece of wood or the handle of the shovel across the hole to check this.
- Fill the the soil surrounding the root ball. Push down on the soil surrounding the plant to remove any air bubbles.
- Water the plant thoroughly. Slowly add water to the base of the plant until the water pools on the surface of the soil and does not absorb with in seconds.
- Replace any mulch to the surrounding area of the plant. Remove the excess soil and grass from the area.
Any extra soil could go into your compost pile.
Any extra grass could be add to a bare spot in the lawn.
Continue to water your newly planted plant daily for the next week. Then weekly for the remainder of the planting season for the first year.
