Pre-Water.
All new plants MUST be watered BEFORE planting them.
Never plant them dry!
Dig.
dig a tapered shallow hole about HALF the height of the rootball, with sides three times the width. Make sure to keep over half of the rootball above soil level! (Reserve any native soil removed from the ground for the next step.) If you’re planting in heavy clay or excessively wet areas, plant the rootball even higher.
Mound.
mix the appropriate G&B Garden Soil with native soil, adding a handful (about ½ a cup) of Gro-Power Soil Conditioning Fertilizer & G&B Probiotic Fertilizer per cubic foot of soil. (Add Gro-Power Tablets to extend feedings up to one-year!) Water the mound surrounding the rootball thoroughly and tamp down until the mound is tight and stable. Add additional amendments as needed to cover the sides of the rootball.
Mulch.
mulch is the key to successful planting and is by far the most overlooked. We use a 3” thick layer of organic material, such as G&B Soil Building Compost, that will create a thermal blanket over the soil. This helps to retain moisture in the soil longer, while protecting the root system & beneficial soil bacterias from the extremes of weather.
Stake.
it is important to use a tree support that allows some movement to develop a strong trunk. This can be accomplished by using a Reddy Stake, our single stake system of choice!
Watering "Schedule".
all plants will initially need water to become established. Check for moisture by piloting a hole toward the center of the rootball, followed by your finger to test for moisture. Use the following as a guideline:
•Soil is Cool & sticks to your finger » DO NOT WATER.
•Soil is Cool & does not stick to your finger » Deep Water plants that are NOT Drought Tolerant thoroughly!
•Soil is the Ambient temperature & does not stick to your finger » Deep Water ALL PLANTS thoroughly!
When you water...
saturate the entire rootball & all surrounding soil (including the soil below the rootball). This Deep Watering helps the plant develop a deeper, more mature root system.
