General Planting Instructions

1. Dig the planting hole twice the size of the root ball. Leave the soil in the center of the hole undisturbed forming a pedestal that the root ball sits on. This pedestal is very important; it keeps the root ball from sitting in a pool of water. The point where the plant comes out of the ground should be 1 inch above ground level.
2. Fill the planting hole with water, and then let it drain down.
3. Mix the soil from the planting hole with Back to Nature’s Cotton Burr Compost at a 50 to 50 ratio.
4. Carefully remove the plant from its container keeping the soil on the root ball in place. Gently loosen its roots; a light root pruning might be necessary.
5. Place the root ball on the center of the soil pedestal. Apply Dr. Earth Starter Fertilizer to the root area per instructions on the bag. Back fill the planting hole halfway with the amended soil.
6. Fill the planting hole with water again and let it drain down. This process settles the soil, removing air pockets and providing adequate initial moisture.
7. After the water drains down, finish filling the hole with the amended soil mix. Do not cover the area where the stem changes to root (the crown). Make sure all roots are covered. The ground level of the plant in the pot should match with the ground level of the completed planting. Finally walk around the planting to firm down the soil.
8. Create a mulch bed 2- 3 inches deep to keep the roots cool and for moisture retention. Keep the mulch away from the trunk; this will cause the bark to decay. The mulch bed should extend to the width of the plant’s branches (the drip line).
9. Wait a couple of hours then water thoroughly again, this should take 15 – 20 minutes.

Watering

Newly planted trees and shrubs need about 1 – 2 inches of water per week. Water the soil line preferably in the morning. Evening watering invites fungus and disease problems. Increase watering as temperatures rise above 80 degrees.

Fertilization

After the trees and shrubs are well established, set up a feeding schedule. A mineral based granular fertilizer is recommended. Fertilize deciduous trees and shrubs (plants that drop their leaves in the fall) in the spring and fall. Fertilize evergreens in the spring.

Use: Espoma’s Holly Tone – for evergreens and other acid loving plants
      Tree Tone – for deciduous trees and shrubs
      Plant Tone – all purpose organic fertilizer

Follow package instructions