Gethsemane Trees and
Shrubs
Planting
Properly
planting trees and shrubs is essential for their survival. No amount of T.L.C
will help protect your tree or shrub if it is planted incorrectly. Woody plants
are usually sold with the root system balled and burlapped or in a grower’s
container. The way you plant the tree or shrub will be slightly different
depending on how the roots are protected at the time of purchase.
Balled and Burlapped Plants: Measure the root ball across the top, from end
to end, and dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball. Measure the
root ball from top to bottom and subtract 4-6 inches. This is your measurement
for the depth of the hole. The plant’s root flare (the area where the roots
first start to emerge from the base of the plant) should be slightly above ground
level. Do not plant the tree/shrub too deeply. Add a 1” layer of soil
amendment to the bottom of the hole. There are two different soil amendments
that we recommend for trees and shrubs: Black Forest Soil Conditioner, and
Cotton Burr Compost (you only need one, not both.) If there is a wire cage
around the root ball, remove it before placing the root ball in the hole. Place
the root ball in the hole. Remove all the burlap, rope, and any other material
that may be around the root ball. Refill the hole with a mixture of soil
amendment and native soil (the soil you dug out of the hole.) After the hole
has been refilled, tamp the soil around the root ball to make sure the plant is
stable and secure. Water the plant immediately after you finish planting.
Containerized
Plants: Measure
the root mass across the top, from end to end, and dig a hole at least twice as
wide as the root mass. Measure the root mass from top to bottom and subtract
4-6 inches. This is your measurement for the depth of the hole. The plant’s
root flare (the area where the roots first start to emerge from the base of the
plant) should be slightly above ground level. Do not plant the tree/shrub
too deeply.
Add a 1” layer of soil amendment to the bottom of the hole. There are two
different soil amendments that we recommend for trees and shrubs: Black Forest
Soil Conditioner, and Cotton Burr Compost (you only need one, not both.) Remove
the plant from the grower’s container. The roots of containerized plants may be
pot bound (the roots are wrapped around themselves in the outline of the
grower’s container.) You MUST loosen the roots before planting. Use a shovel, trowel, or
sharp knife and score the edges of the root mass. The roots should not be
entangled when you are finished. Place the plant in the center of the hole.
Refill the hole with a mixture of soil amendment and native soil (the soil you
dug out of the hole.) After the hole has been refilled, tamp the soil around
the root ball to make sure the plant is stable and secure. Water the plant
immediately after you finish planting.
Fertilizing
Adding
fertilizer is not necessary when planting a new tree or shrub. We also
recommend that you do not fertilize trees and shrubs during the first year
after planting. The plant’s tender roots need to re-establish before fertilizer
is applied.
After
the first season, you may apply fertilizer as it is needed. Some plants in your
garden may need it, others may not.
We recommend using organic, slow release fertilizers for your trees and
shrubs.
Mulching
Adding
mulch to your garden beds is both aesthetically and functionally beneficial.
Mulch retains moisture around the plant’s root zone, protects and insulates the
roots, helps prevent the growth of weeds, and makes your landscape look more
complete. Mulch is available in many different types of materials, colors, and
textures, but they all work equally well. Deciding which type of mulch to use
is purely an aesthetic choice. Do not use rubber, plastic, or synthetic
mulch of any kind.
Layer the mulch 1-3 inches thick throughout the garden bed or around the entire
root zone of your tree/shrub. Do not layer mulch directly around the
trunk of any tree.
Piling mulch around the trunk may cause the wood to rot and make the tree
susceptible to disease and insect infestation. Always leave a 4-6 inch space
between the mulch and the trunk of the tree or the base of the shrub. Mulch
will naturally break down and decompose, so it may need to be reapplied within
12-18 months.
Watering
Proper
watering is essential for newly installed woody plants. Under-watering or
over-watering your plants can kill them. New trees and shrubs may need to be on
a watering schedule for as long as 2-3 years before they are fully established.
During this time, rainfall alone is usually not sufficient. Trees and shrubs
absorb all of their water from their root ball for the first 8-10 months after
they are planted. This means that plants may still need water even if the soil
surrounding the root ball is moist. The best way to water new trees and shrubs
is to place a hose at the base of the plant and adjust the pressure until water
is slowly leaking from the hose. Leave the hose in place and soak the plant for
20-40 minutes. You will need to adjust the watering time depending on the water
drainage in your soil. Supplying a lower volume of water over a longer period
of time will fully saturate the root ball and the surrounding soil. Varying
weather patterns and site conditions make it impossible to come up with a “formula”
for how often you should water your plants. It is best to check the moisture
levels in the soil every 2-3 days. Following these routines will help you
better understand how often you need to water your new trees and shrubs.
Warranty
Gethsemane
Garden Center is pleased to provide its customers with this guide for
maintaining your newly planted trees and shrubs. We also give all of our
customers a one (1) year warranty on new trees and shrubs that are purchased at
the full retail price. The warranty is valid for one (1) year from the original
date of purchase. The warranty covers 100% of the original amount paid for the
plant plus sales tax, if applicable. You must have your original cash register
receipt to activate the warranty. Services such as delivery, planting, or any
other applicable labor fees are not covered under this warranty. Please note
that we do not offer a warranty/guarantee of any kind for trees and shrubs
that are purchased at a discounted price or that have
been planted in containers, raised beds, or parkways. Thank you for letting
Gethsemane help your gardens grow.
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