Table of Contents
dig the planting hole. Dig the Planting Hole. Dig a planting hole two to three feet wider than the root ball to allow plenty of room for the roots. prev. next. Water the Shrub. The most important step to planting is watering the shrub immediately after planting. apply mulch around base of shrub. Add Mulch.
What is the best month to plant shrubs?
Although it is possible to plant until soil can no longer be worked, September through October is the best time to plant trees and shrubs. Six weeks is considered adequate time to establish strong roots before the ground freezes and trees and shrubs enter dormancy.
How do you plant shrub spacing?
Shrubs grow well when spaced about one half the spread of a mature plant. For example, if your mature shrub is 4 feet wide, then it is safe to plant it 2 feet from the widest part of another shrub. Keep shrubs at least 2 to 4 feet from the house or other buildings.
How do you plant potted shrubs in the ground?
Instructions: Dig the planting hole just as deep as the tree’s or shrub’s container. Slide the root ball out of the container carefully. Loosen and untangle any circling or snarled roots. Loosen any bottom roots that have matted. Set the plant in the empty hole. Fill the hole with the plain dirt that you dug from it.
Can I use potting soil for shrubs?
Soil preparation: This is the most important step! It is so crucial to the plants growth and mistakes are hard to remedy once the tree or shrub is planted. The compost will increase the nutrient content and water holding capability of your soil. NEVER use potting soil or peat moss.
Should I fertilize newly planted shrubs?
Do newly planted trees and shrubs need fertilizer? In most landscapes, healthy trees and shrubs do not require fertilizers, especially when they reach their mature size. It is not recommended to fertilize at planting time. Most trees and shrubs prefer a soil pH (acidity level) of 5.5 – 7.0.
Can I plant bushes in spring?
It is OK to start planting trees, shrubs, perennials and ground covers in early spring, as long as the soil conditions permit. The structure of the soil can be damaged if you dig while the soil is too wet. The soil will take longer to dry out after snow and rain because it’s cooler in spring.
What time of day should you plant?
Best time of day to transplant is early in the morning, late in the afternoon or on a cloudy day. This will allow the plants to settle in out of direct sunlight.
Can I plant shrubs in March?
March is the end of the planting season for deciduous and bare-rooted trees and shrubs. Although container grown stock can be planted virtually all the year round. Evergreens and conifers can be planted now, as well as the more delicate grey or silver-leaved shrubs such as artemisia, lavender, rosemary and santolina.
How far apart should you space shrubs?
The space between shrubs should be at least half the total of their combined ultimate spread. For example, two shrubs expected to spread 4 feet and 6 feet, respectively, should be planted about 5 feet apart. Remove the marker. Dig a hole as deep and slightly wider than the shrub’s container or root ball.
How far apart should you plant?
The general rule of thumb is to space plants according to their expected width at maturity. For example, a tree that is expected to grow 40 feet wide would be planted 40 feet from the next tree of the same variety.
How far apart should I plant hedging?
Hedge plants should be about 18″ (45cm) apart with the recommended number of plants about 5-7 per metre if bare root, or 4-5 if container grown.
Should you amend soil when planting shrubs?
Important: We do not recommend adding anything to the hole or amending the soil when you plant. Peat moss, compost, garden soil, potting mix and other products can cause drainage problems that make it difficult for your shrub to get established.
How do you plant bushes around the house?
Make sure you’re placing plants where they’ll look and perform their best. Avoid planting directly under the eaves. That area sees less rainfall due to the overhang, and plants too close to the house won’t get the air circulation they need. In addition, the plantings can reduce your access for home maintenance.
What happens if you plant a shrub too deep?
Planting too deeply Deep planting causes bark deterioration at the soil line, which can eventually kill the plant. It usually takes a few seasons for a tree or shrub to die from this. Therefore, residents typically do not associate the decline of a tree with how it was planted.
How often should I water new shrubs?
Newly planted trees or shrubs require more frequent watering than established trees and shrubs. They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals: 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily. 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days.
What is the best compost for shrubs?
For trees and shrubs in containers outdoors, use John Innes soil-based compost, which has the weight necessary for stability and the ability to hold onto its nutrients for longer – add grit to prevent it from becoming too hard and ‘claggy’.
What is the best fertilizer for shrubs?
Research in woody plant nutrition has shown however that nitrogen is the element that yields the greatest growth response in trees and shrubs. For this reason, high nitrogen fertilizers with N-P-K ratios of 4-1-1, 3-1-1 or 3-1-2 are generally recommended for feeding established woody plants.
Can I use miracle grow on shrubs?
All trees and shrubs have different requirements for healthy growth, so they require different nutrients. If you have a variety of trees and shrubs in your garden, you can use an all-purpose plant food like Miracle-Gro® Shake n Feed® Flowering Trees & Shrubs Plant Food, which will feed for up to 3 months.
Can you over water newly planted shrubs?
Newly installed plants require regular watering, especially when the weather is warm and dry. Water when the soil below the mulch and in the root ball feels dry. However, be careful not to overwater. Many people have inadvertently drowned newly planted trees by watering them too often.
Why are my new shrubs dying?
Your shrubs could’ve turned brown for a number of reasons, including: Water problems: Both too much and too little water can stress a shrub out and cause it to turn brown. Fertilizer overload: Pouring too much fertilizer into plant beds can essentially burn your shrubs by increasing salt levels in the soil.
