Make Sure Your Plants Get Off To A Good Start!

These instructions will help you give your new plants the care they need to become established. This is especially important for trees and shrubs but can also be used for planting perennials, vines and groundcovers, etc. This applies to planting in the ground, not containers.

Planting Instructions

1. Dig a hole 2x wider than the root ball. The depth of the hole should be a little less than the height of the root ball. (See illustration) It is important that the plant sits on undisturbed soil to ensure it does not sink into the ground. 
2. Remove the plant from the pot by applying pressure to pot sides until root ball is loosened. Carefully remove plant from pot.
3. If wrapped in burlap cut cords and gently pull the burlap away from the top of the root ball. Leave burlap on.
4. If potted without burlap scruff roots or score tightly matted roots with a box cutter. This will encourage root growth. 
5. Mix compost and ‘Sure Start’ fertilizer into the native soil that has been dug out. The compost should make up about 25% of the soil mix.
6. Place plant in hole. Check height. Top of root ball should be above the ground, ½” for a 1-gallon pot, 3” for a large tree. 
7. Fill soil/compost mix around the root ball. Tamp down as you fill to remove air pockets. Never replace soil with completely new soil.  
8. Once planted, add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch (bark dust or compost) on top of the planting hole. This will help conserve water and prevent weeds. Make sure the mulch does not touch the base of the plant.
9. Only use ‘Sure Start’ or other starter fertilizers for the first year.

Watering instructions

Taking the time to irrigate is vital to the health of your shrubs and trees. Trees and shrubs need the equivalent of one inch of rain per weekuntil established. Investing in a rain gauge can be helpful. It takes about a year until a plant is established. Once established, water according to the plant’s specific needs.  

Spring & Summer Watering

• Place a hose at the base of the plant. Run at a low trickle – 20 minutes for a 1-gallon pot, 1 hour for a large tree.
• Repeat 2-3 times a week through the growing season into the fall.
• Sprinkler systems or turf and drip irrigation are often not enough.
• A soaker hose may be wrapped around the base and run for the same amount of time.

Fall & Winter Watering: 

If planting in fall or winter, make sure to water thoroughly. Cool winter weather and rain will likely take care of the weekly 1” water requirement. However make sure to check the soil during dry stretches. Use your finger to dig down into the soil 2-4”. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.

To ensure your planting is a success, we recommend the following products.

• EB Stone Organics ‘Planting Compost’
• EB Stone Organics ‘Sure Start’
• Barkdust or compost for mulching