How to Plant Flashcards
When to plant?
Some things to consider about the soil and plant conditions. Don’t forget the seasons.
- Never in frost or when ground is very wet - When the soil is warm.
- Trees and shrubs in containers can be planted anytime - but avoid planting when dry weather is expected unless you are sure they will be watered.
- Bareroot trees and shrubs should be planted when the plants are dormant - November to March.
- Herbaceous plants are best planted in Spring or Autumn.
3 general types of Soil. Name them.
- Sandy, 2. Loamy, 3. Clay
- Soil condition - heavy clay - very sandy
- Organic material e.g. compost - not permanent solution to soil deficiencies - will help retain water and air in the soil around the root ball for the first few vital years - always mix it with soil from the planting site: about one part compost to three parts native soil
Some things to lookout for when selecting good plant speciments.
5 points listed.
- Healthy and well grown
- Well rooted with good fibrous root system
- Well proportioned
- Well furnished with branches
- Transplanted regularly
Plant preparation: Bare root Trees and Shrubs.
2 things to consider.
- Soak well in advance
- Trim off any damaged or unhealthy-looking roots
Plant preparation: Container Plants
2 things to consider.
- Soak well in advance
- Tease out roots if they seem congested or ‘pot bound
Working the roots of container pots.
Some picture examples to jog your memory.
How to prepare a planting pit.
4 points to remember.
- Mark out position & size of hole (square) - twice as wide as the root.
- Dig a hole to depth of Nursery mark at base of stem.
- Fork over the sides and base - Roughen the soil - Break up any hard pan.
- Prepare a planting mixture of soil with compost, leaf mould or other organic matter.
Planting a tree.
4 steps.
- Water planting hole before planting
- Position the plant and backfill, shaking the plant lightly and firming in stages to avoid air pockets
- Pack the soil around the roots and backfill - Use heel to firm down… this will help stabilize the plant …press down every few shovels of soil
- Create a berm a little larger than the root ball perimeter after planting to hold water
This is a Diagram of a Planting Pit.
Click to reveal.
Pit planting…. Approx double the size of the root.
Planting through Landscape Fabric.
4 things to remember (How to use).
- Cut cross-shaped holes
- Fold back flaps and plant as normal
- Replace the flaps
- Fabric can be disguised with a mulch – gravel, bark . . .
What are 6 Advantages of using Landscape Fabric.
Advantages.
- Discourages weeds by excluding light and by preventing weed seeds reaching soil
- Reduces need for herbicides
- Controls self seeding
- Allows moisture to penetrate into the soil
- Can raise soil temperature
- Reduces water loss by evaporation in dry spells
What are 4 Disadvantages of using Landscape Fabric?
Disadvantages.
- Can be unsightly if not completely covered by mulch
- Does not entirely prevent weed growth
- Does not allow for digging over soil and incorporating organic matter
- Not suitable for use with bulbs & herbaceous plants
7 Steps for planting Trees in particular.
- Pit planting…..Suitable for all stock type - Cut off any damaged roots or branches
- Set out tree in position on ground
- Mark planting pit 100mm outside root spread of tree
- Dig planting pit to depth of nursery mark at base of tree & loosen base and sides of pit
- Positions tree and stake then remove insert stake
- Place tree in position an backfill with soil
- Heel in every few shovels.
Note: For Trees….
- Do not add fertiliser
- Make the planting pit wider rather than deep
What is Notch planting of bare-root stock?
(hint… No dig)
Staking a Tree.
5 things to remember.
- Staking to prevent the movement of the roots.
- Couple of growing seasons to anchor in the soil - Which stake is suitable?
- With bare-root trees - Use a single low stake.
- With container-grown and root-balled trees - Use an angled stake or a pair of stakes.
- Large trees and transplants – guying (straps).
Some diagrams of planted trees to consider.
The tree planting pit.
Some pictures.
