Trees, Shrubs & Roses

Planting Guide

When to plant

Most plants are supplied growing in pots with their own soil. This enables them to be planted at any time of the year. Provided these plants have good light and are watered daily, they can be held for 2 - 3 weeks before planting.
If there is a ‘best time’ to plant it's Autumn because this allows plants the longest time to establish before their first summer which is usually the hardest period for them.

Preparation

Ensure you select plants or varieties suitable for your purpose, climate, soil and planting position. The key to success with plants is a thriving root system, therefore, spending a little extra time and money to ensure strong root growth at planting time will pay off in the long run. 

• Make sure the plant is well watered before planting.
• Dig a hole at least twice as wide as the root ball or spread of roots. 
• Break up subsoil, but in heavy clay soils do not dig down into the clay base.  It is better and advisable to build the soil level up by using extra soil or  planting mix. 
• An application of Gypsum can be beneficial in clay soils.

Planting

• The plant should be placed in the hole so that the soil level, after planting, is the same as the level it was in the pot (or in the case of ‘bare rooted’ plants the soil level on the stem). 
• Some plants may appear a little ‘root bound’ - i.e. they have a mass of roots especially around the base.  This is not normally a problem, but it is a good idea to gently tease out the roots around the base.
• Backfill around the roots with planting mix, mixed with soil from the hole.  Incorporate with this a handful or two of  ‘Osmocote’ or ‘Acticote’ long-term, slow release fertiliser.  Both products are safe, will not burn the roots and will give your plants a perfect start in life. 
• No other feeding is required in the first year. 
• Firm the soil around the roots to ensure a good contact and to keep the plant stable. 

Staking

Trees and tall shrubs require staking to aid establishment and to keep the plant erect. 
For best results use 2 stakes. Follow the instructions and diagram in our "How to Stake a Tree" handy helper.

 
After Planting Care...

Watering  

It will be some weeks or even months before your new plants have roots penetrating well out into the soil. Therefore plants will need watering regularly for the first few weeks and through the first summer. 
From September through to April new plants should be watered 3 times a week.

Mulching 

This involves covering the soil surface around your plants with a layer of compost or straw 20-40mm deep, preferably laid prior to summer. This reduces water loss from the soil and keeps roots cool in the hot weather. Mulching also prevents weeds.