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General Planting Tips

* Plant trees at existing elevations, except in clay soil where plants should be planted a little higher.

* Cover the rootball with no more than one inch of soil.

Balled and Burlapped Plants

* Dig holes eight to twelve inches or larger in diameter and as deep as the rootball.

* Gently set the tree or plant in the hole.

* Backfill the soil into the hole 1/3 of the way up the rootball, while still supporting the rootball.

* After the tree or plant is in position, straight, and will not be adjusted any further, cut off the top 1/3 of the wire leaving the bottom 2/3 on the rootball.  The integrity of the rootball is the most important thing.

* Begin filling the rest of the hole, alternating soil and water.  Mix the soil and water with a shovel to remove any air pockets.

* When the hole is half filled, add the Agriform Planter Tablets.

* Before you fill the hole completely, check for and remove any twine around the trunk of the tree or plant.

For CLAY Soil

Dig the hole at least twelve inches wider than the rootball and two to four inches shallower the rootball.  This practice of planting the rootball a little higher than the existing grade does not allow puddling of water around the tree or plant.  Puddling water can cause the tree or plant to drown due to the slow drainage of water in heavy clay soil.  Backfill with no more than 1/3 course peat moss and the original clay soil.  Native peat is not recommended for use in heavy clay soil nor is amending the backfill too much.  Doing so may cause the soil ball to become too wet and the backfill too dry.

For SANDY, WELL-DRAINED Soil

Dig a hole eight to twelve inches wider than the rootball and the same depth as the rootball.  Mix 1/3 to 2/3 peat moss with the existing soil.  If you have very sandy soil, such as that located in Briargate, amend your soil with 1/3 topsoil, 1/3 peat moss, and 1/3 existing soil.

Paper Pots

In spring or on newly potted plants, cut the rim off the container, then cut one to six Vs in the side of the container.  In late summer and fall, or to pot established plants, silt the paper container, set the plant in the hole then peel off the sides of the container leaving the bottom on.  Plant the same as a balled and burlapped tree or plant.

Plastic Conatiners

Slip plants out of the container and follow the instructions for paper pots above.