Well, it’s almost fall again… Which means, time to get those plants in the ground so they can get established with benefit of the annual rains. Maybe you get more rain throughout the year in your area, but for us, in Mediterranean climates, we are wise to coordinate our efforts with olde Mother Earth! Here’s our particular technique…
Bare-root plants need to be planted and watered immediately upon receipt. If you cannot plant them in their intended location due to time constraints, they can be heeled-in or potted-on. If you can plant them in their intended spot right off, so much the better. The procedure is simple.
Dig a trench about 6 to 9-inches deep, in light to part-shade, somewhere in your normal path, place the plant(s) in the hole(s) and water in thoroughly. This temporary planting will keep them alive and in your view so that you can get them to their permanent location quickly, but without a panic or dead plants.
Generally, an overhang will provide at least some shade (unless it is on the west or southwest sides of the house) and will also provide frost protection. Get your plants in their “real” location as soon as possible to allow them to become established during the cool season(s). This really pays off in the form of less stress and lower water needs in summer.
Planting:
For each plant:
-
dig a hole about 6 inches across by 9 inches deep (about the size of a 1 gallon pot or a little bigger
-
add a little compost to the native soil (the soil that came out of the new hole) spread about a pinch of organic fertilizer in the bottom of the hole
-
create an inverted cone-shaped mound of soil in the center of the hole
-
place the crown of the plant on top of the mound, spreading the roots around the cone
-
gently back-fill (replace most of the removed soil, tamping gently with your palms to remove air pockets, there is usually some excess soil
-
Remember to keep the crown (where the stem meets the roots) slightly above the soil (proud) and dry
-
mulch with organic material, maintaining a space away from the crown (at least an inch, to prevent rot and disease)
-
water gently and thoroughly (about ¼ to ½ gallon)
-
fertilize about every week with a solution ¼ to ½ the recommended strength
-
protect from sustained, direct sun for the first week; protect from frost the first winter
Potting on:
is generally the same as planting in the ground, but attention needs to be paid to drainage and maintaining soil moisture without allowing standing water. Generally, soil as wet/dry as a well-wrung sponge is the ideal. Choose a pot of adequate size for at least one season’s growth.
———————————————————————————————————-
These instructions are generally true for 4-inch to one-gallon container sized plants (younger plants with developed roots and less developed top growth). Happy Gardening!
