Planting & Watering Tips | Hillcrest Garden

Planting

Before you buy, know your sunlight, allowable space, drainage and soil quality.
Plants should be installed no later than 7 days after purchasing. During the waiting period, plants should be watered daily.
Dig a hole 2 times the width of the root ball and remove the plant from the container. If the plant is balled and burlapped, remove the burlap from around the tree trunk after planting.
Amend the soil with potting soil, compost, or peat moss. Follow the directions on the package.
If the soil is dry, fill then entire hole with water and then let the water drain completely.
Loosen roots if plant is root bound.
Install the plant with root flare slightly above ground level, fill the remaining hole with amended soil, and pack in the soil.
Water deep for root development
Mulch with 2 inches around the base of the plant.
Fertilize in both the Spring and Fall

Watering

Deep and less frequent is better than shallow and frequent.
Morning watering is the best. If you have to water in the evening always water at least 1 hour before the sun goes down.
Let the soil dry up between waterings. It's better for the plant to be a little dry versus being overwatered.
Established plants need watered once a week during hot dry periods.
New plants need watered 2 to 3 times per week for 2 to 3 weeks.
Large trees require 1 and half gallons of water for every 1 inch of the trunk diameter. This needs to be done every couple of days for 4 to 6 weeks.
Only water the leaves of plants if you are fertilizing the plant with a water soluble fertilizer.