Planting Instructions Watering & Fertilizing General

Watering: Every plant needs individual watering for at least one growing season after planting. The best way to ensure proper watering is to create a small ‘saucer’ indentation around the plant. Keep in mind that the soil from the original container is different from garden soil and transplant shock can be expected. To decrease this shock, water the plant in the pot before planting and then again half-way through backfilling the hole and then well once fully planted. Keep the soil in and around the root zone of the plant moist but not waterlogged. Although sprinkler systems are sufficient for established plants, annuals, and lawns, it is not the case for newly planted perennials, trees or shrubs. Even drought-resistant plants require a few years before they are established enough to sustain themselves under stress.

Drying Out: Some plants are especially at risk for drying out due to the use of soil-less potting medium like peat moss. Any plant in a 1 g or 2 gal. pot, in particular the ones listed need your intense care: Dogwood, Spiraea, Potentilla, Honeysuckle, Stephanandra, groundcovers, evergreens, Rhododendrons, perennials. Plants whose dense foliage covers their root systems, like low growing Junipers are vulnerable. Rain and any sprinkler system will drip off the head of the plant and miss the base and roots.

How often to Water? We recommend that new plants should be watered individually and deeply once or twice a week rather than daily (as this can result in a shallow root system). Dried peat moss is less accepting of water; soak your plant for at least 30 minutes in the container before planting.

Fertilizing: Bonemeal is a good source of phosphorous which is important for root growth, as well as eventual flower and fruit production. It is a slow-acting fertilizer and can take up to 2 years before it can be available to the plant. In the interim, water-soluble fertilizers geared to the specific type of plant and their needs are also a good idea where soil is poor. Even better, organic matter such as mushroom compost, well rotted manure, peatmoss, kitchen compost, leaf mould (leaf litter compost) all deliver broad nutrients as they break down and they all also help with soil structure and water availability.

Yours 'For Better Gardening'!
ARTISTIC LANDSCAPE DESIGNS LTD.
(Mrs.) Edeltraut Schmitz, sen.