How to Plant Trees and Shrubs

We all want a beautiful lawn. Adding trees and shrubs can help accomplish this, but if done incorrectly the plants may grow sickly or die. That will make your lawn ugly again with all those dead trees. If you do it right you will have fine, healthy plans livening up your yard. There are a few things you need to know when planting hardier plants like trees and shrubs. These things are: the hole, the soil, and the base.

The Hole- The first thing you need to do when planting is dig a hole twice as large as the pot the plant came in (or in the case of most trees, the root ball). Doing this allows the roots to soak up more moisture from the soil mixture you are about to add next. These types of plants need a larger hole than smaller pants because their root systems are larger and need room to fully hook into the soil.

The Soil- The next thing for you do do is mix the soil you just dug out with peat moss. Peat moss will hold water for the plant to use. You should use a half-and-half ratio to make sure the plant has plenty of moisture. You can add a little fertilizer if you'd like to boost the plant's growth, but in my experience it doesn't make too much difference. You will add some later anyway. I'll talk about the type of fertilizer you can use in the next section. If you have difficulty getting the soil mixture under the plant, try putting some soil in first then placing the pant on top of that. Fill in the remaining space around the roots and you're ready to work on the base. Remember, you won't use all the dirt you took from the hole.

The Base- Finally you'll finish around the base of the plant to make it healthy and attractive. First put down some fertilizer that's made for the type of plant you have planted. You can find out what type you need by either asking your local garden center, landscaper, or look it up in a book or online. Most holly trees will be healthiest with a fertilizer that has a ratio of 4-6-4, while roses like a 6-6-4 (ratio of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium). Make sure you water in the fertilizer or it could burn your plant. Watering right away also helps get much needed water and nutrients to the roots as soon as possible. The last step you need to take is adding a layer of mulch to the base of the tree or shrub. This discourages pests and weeds from disturbing your newly installed plant. Now you're done. Stand back and admire your handywork.

Once you have done these few things to ensure a healthy planting I know you'll end up with a much happier and healthier tree or shrub. Plants are alive and need care just like all other living things. Once they have that you will reap the reward of a beautiful and healthy lawn.