| Planting Trees and Shrubs |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-104 |
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Q: Is it a good idea to plant now (in the autumn) or wait until spring?
A: (Jesse Mack Burns, Ask DIY Gardening expert). As long as you're getting those trees or shrubs in the ground before the first freeze or frost in the autumn, it's not too late to plant them, because the roots will still have time to wander through the soil. Here are a few other ways to improve your chances of success when you plant a tree or shrub: - Choose where you'll plant before you purchase a tree or shrub that you like. Make sure that the tree won't become a nuisance in the coming years by blocking a view or other treasured plants or by growing too close to the house or drive.
- Set the tree or shrub in a hole in the ground that's the correct depth. Soil should not cover any part of the trunk, nor should the root ball rest above the hole, or it will dry out.
- Before you place the root ball in the ground, scatter some time-release fertilizer in the hole. Measure the fertilizer carefully and follow the manufacturer's recommended proportions.
Working Smarter: Measure how much fertilizer your hand holds with a gardening glove on and then you can use your hand as a measuring device. - After you've taken the shrub from the burlap or pot it arrived in from the nursery, make certain to break up the compacted root ball with your hands (figure A), and loosen the soil. That will allow the roots to venture out where they can get water before it freezes, instead of continuing to grow around in the circular shape of the container.
- When you fill in the hole with soil, also create a "water ring" by mounding soil in a ring around the root ball at the tree's drip line (figure B ) -- the point where the outer leaves allow water to drip to the ground. When it rains or you water the shrub, the water will stay near the root ball instead of running off into the surrounding yard.
More Questions for Jessie Mack:
Q: If my leaves are turning some odd colors, does that mean my tree isn't healthy?
A: In autumn, most leaves do turn colors and fall, so it's hard to judge. The telltale sign of poor health is when the leaves don't sprout back in the spring.
Q: As the weather gets cooler, do I need to water my tree as often?
A: No. In the winter, the soil tends to stay moister and it already has an ample supply of water for the tree's roots, so you can cut back. But if you're having unseasonably warm or dry weather, do water the same way you would in the warmer months.
Q: How much can I expect to see my shrubs grow?
A: Your tree or shrub will slow down in the cooler months; don't expect to see a lot of growth until spring. Web site Resources for Planting Trees and Shrubs: E-How, Inc. information Planting Trees and Shrubs Hometime.com Planting Trees and Shrubs Page Planting Trees, Shrubs and Hedges in the Landscape Book: Trees & Shrubs: How to Grow Healthy Trees & Shrubs
by Cathy Haas
Sterling Publishing, Inc. (1998)
387 Park Ave., South
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-532-7060
Fax: 212-213-2495
Customer Service Phone: 800-367-9592
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