Planting and Care Basics
(applies primarily to shrubs and trees)
- Select a plant appropriate for the soil type, soil moisture and light Right plant – right place. (we can help you with this part!)
- Give the new plant a heavy watering. Set your potted plant near where you are going to plant it. Dig a hole 2 to 3 times as wide, and at the same depth as the soil level in the pot. Roughen the sides of the hole so it is not smooth. This is especially important with heavy or clay soils. Return some soil into the middle of the hole and form it into a small mound shape.
- Take the plant out of its pot and inspect the roots. If there are any roots wrapping around the root ball in a circle (called circling roots), cut them off close to where they leave the main root mass. Using your fingers, untangle and straighten as many roots as you can. The roots aren’t fragile, so don’t be afraid to tug and pull a little on them. That said, they ARE sensitive to drying out, so it’s best to do this operation promptly and on a low wind day. Set the plant in the hole so the pot soil (root crown) is level with the surrounding ground. If you can, gently spread the roots around the mound. Dampen the soil in the hole and around the roots and backfill the hole. Building a dirt rim around the outer edge of the hole will help hold water nearer the roots. Gently tamp the soil down and thoroughly water to settle everything in and completely moisten the soil around the roots.
- We typically do not recommend adding soil amendments. If the right plant is in the right place it should do well on its own without added fertilizers, acid adjusters, peat, compost, etc.
- Cover the exposed dirt area with 2”-3” of mulch. This will slow weed growth and maximize moisture retention. The mulch should be in a flat layer, NOT a volcano. Leave a 1”-2” space around the trunk/stem of the plant. Crowding the trunk or root collar with mulch will encourage mold. You may also place a porous landscaping fabric around your plant before mulching.
- Water your plant the equivalent of 1” per week during throughout the first growing season. Subsequent dry years may require additional watering as well. (1” water weekly = 20% water hose pressure for 20 minutes, twice per week.) Rain counts.
- VERY IMPORTANT – to maximize transplanting success, you must keep the area around the plant free of weeds and invading sod, keep it properly watered, and if necessary, protect it from animals that may want to eat your new plant. (see page on Plant Predator Protection for more information)
- We back our plants for 1 year from the date of purchase. If you have followed the above planting and care instructions and your plant dies we will replace it or refund your money.
- To obtain your refund, e-mail us at windyrocknursery@outlook.com describing your issue, provide proof of purchase (a scanned receipt is ideal) and include photos of your dead plant in the ground.