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Installation & Planting

Fall Arrived on September 21. Get Ready to Plant!

September 22, 2016

Regardless of the thermometer reading, fall is in our future! With fall comes the best time for planting many woody—as well as herbaceous—perennial plants. Plus, nurseries often have fall sales to move their existing stock.

Keys to successful fall planting
If you find plants you like, you might think: “Where can I put this particular plant?” A better question is: “What plant best fits my landscape scheme for this spot?”

  • Before you buy have a site in mind.
  • Be sure that spot meets the desired plant’s requirements for sun, moisture, and nutrients.
  • Know how much space the plant needs and how quickly that plant will spread. Don’t bring home an invasive “Backyard Bully”!
  • How about the soil pH? A soil test will tell you if you need to lime or add any nutrients.

The results of a soil test may change your mind. Consider choosing plants that will match the site characteristics. 

Woody plants have additional needs
Trees—and even large shrubs—need special attention to their future size. Pruning may not be a viable answer to a tree that is shading too much of your homestead or threatening a power line, or a shrub that’s blocking a view. Consider how the planting will work in all four seasons. And think about how your placement will affect your neighbors, too. You can’t call in a moving company to cure a poor decision if your planting outgrows its space.

Are you prepared to do your own planting?
When looking at a woody plant you intend to plant yourself, consider the size, shape, and weight of the root ball. How is the root ball contained or restrained? You’ll need to remove that container or restrainer during the planting process, so be sure you have the appropriate tools. It is best to discard burlap or wire that may restrict future growth. 

Roots
Before you plant, examine the root ball. Are there broken or circling roots? Many horticulturalists recommend carefully washing off the planting medium to correct any root problems before planting. At a minimum, remove circling or broken roots and then score or cut through the root ball to encourage root growth. For more information about root systems of woody plants see: http://gardenprofessors.com/little-ball-of-horrors/  

Planting and irrigating
Backfill with the soil you removed when you dug the planting hole, and water as you fill. Tamp the soil gently; you don’t want to compact the soil, just put it in contact with the roots. Roots will continue to grow all fall and winter as long as the soil is not frozen at their level, so keep the root ball moist.

Mulching
Finish by spreading mulch over the root ball. Not only will mulch retain moisture, but the mulch “blanket” helps maintain a stable temperature, so that a surge during a warm spell won’t cause the plant to prematurely break dormancy. But don’t mound mulch around tree trunks or shrub stems.

Pick a cool day and enjoy the exercise.

Article written Glenn Palmer, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

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Categories Installation & Planting Tags fall planting, mulch, roots, shrubs, woody plants

Fall Planting of Trees, Shrubs, and Perennials

September 8, 2015

tree plantingThe bones of the landscape (the trees, shrubs, and perennials) are most tolerant of adverse growing conditions in fall and winter. The coming months are the best time of the year to put in new hardy material. Unlike the leaves, the roots of a plant will grow in winter; the energy a plant would use to produce leaves is transferred to the root system, and in the spring a healthier, more vigorous plant will emerge.

How to handle and transplant new stock into your landscape is determined by several factors.

  • How was the plant grown in the nursery? Ball & burlap? Container? Bare root?
  • What are the plants drainage requirements?
  • What type soil do you have and what is the draining characteristic? Have you had a soil test done?   Should you take steps to aid in changing the soil’s pH?
  • What’s the availability of water?
  • Are you purchasing the plant for the site? Or are you changing the site to fit the plant?

Ball and burlap (b&b in the trade) are field grown, dug, and root balls wrapped usually with burlap and shipped. B&B plants tend to lose a lot of their water absorbing root system when dug, and will require extra water and care for a long period after being transplanted.

ContainerThe biggest disadvantage of container grown plants may be over stimulated root development and may be root bound in the pot.

Bare root plants are usually the most economical, but should never be purchased unless absolutely dormant and replanted immediately.

When purchasing any plant material, protect the roots, stems, and foliage from wind in getting it home. Get them home in an enclosed vehicle or cover in transport with a tarp. Move the plant around by its container or root ball to prohibit damage to the trunk. If you are not able to get it into the ground quickly, protect it from the sun and wind. Heel in your plant with soil or mulch if a freeze is likely.

If you’re planting area has poor drainage, amend the soil, raise the bed, and/or shape the bed for better runoff. Poor drainage is a leading cause of plant failure. If your planting area is sandy and dry, amend the soil with organic matter that will improve the water holding capacity and mulch after planting.

B&BPlantingThe planting hole should be dug 2 to 3 times the size of the root ball and no deeper than the root ball itself. The root ball should sit on solid ground, not fill amendments. The original soil should be the supplemented with only 10-20% of added compost. What comes out should go back in. Watering a new transplant is the most important step, winter included. One inch a week is recommended.

NC State University offers help and resources to succeed with your transplants. These sites will give you much more information:

http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/planting-techniques-for-trees-and-shrubs/,

http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/a-gardeners-guide-to-soil-testing.pdf, http://content.ces.ncsu.edu/growing-perennial-flowers/

Article written by Patsy McNatt, Extension Master Gardener Volunteer.

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Categories Installation & Planting Tags ball and burlap, fall planting

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