Courtesy iStockphoto / ThinkstockCarefully transfer a tree so that it ’s place vertical .
As a hobby farmer , you likely spend a lot of time , attention and farm literal estate growing tasty , nutritive food for your house or for grocery . While this is a worthy function of your land and resources , it ’s also crucial to consider the economic value trees and shrubs bring to your farmplace . Trees and shrubs can serve well a number of functions , include block noise and pollution , forbid erosion and overflow , acting as shelterbelt , providing shade cover , and adding to your farm - scene aesthetics . When properly set , trees and shrubs can even help reduce your farmhouse energy costs . ( register more about this in “ Passive Aggressive Behavior ” in the March / April issue ofHobby Farm Home . )
For those with adept green thumbs , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree and shrub transplanting might seem like 2d nature . Once you determine the right location with idealistic conditions for the tree or shrub species , the transplanting procedure is relatively uncomplicated : cut into a gob , lay the plant , backfill and piddle . However , by paying attention to some central planting details , you may ensure your fragile young Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub produce into a stalwart element of the farm landscape painting . Below are common planting error to avoid along with top to see to it your tree or bush achieves successful increase .
Mistake No . 1 : Planting in the wrong season . The salutary prison term to institute a tree or shrub is when the works has gone dormant , a stop when push is focused on origin outgrowth , as this will aid the new tree become better established .
Horticulturists normally recommend planting in tumble , when temperatures are moderate and the new transplantation can receive adequate rainfall , though other outpouring can be OK , too . According to the Clemson Cooperative Extension , “ drop planting allows the carbohydrate produced during the old grow season to be directed to root growth since there is little need from the top . This extra growth may decrease the dependency of the plant life on supplemental irrigation the survey summers . ”
The best planting metre , of course , can vary with the species of tree or shrub and the USDA hardiness zone where you ’re located , so talk to expert at your local nursery when determining a planting date .
Mistake No . 2 : Overlooking the business leader of crap . As you might already know from grow crops or flush , planting is n’t as leisurely as just delve in the soil . Trees and shrubs also involve proper drainage and soil pH between 5.5 and 6.5 for thrive , so quiz the soil before planting and amend as needed .
If you ’re bringing in turd to the planting land site , sample your soil and send to a lab for examination after the soil you ’ll be planting with is in property . To test for soil drain , the Virginia Cooperative Extension offers this tip : “ Dig the hole for your new plant and fill it with water system . If the water does n’t drain in 24 time of day , plant elsewhere . ”
If drain is the main issue , you’re able to install a drain tile to disport water aside from the planting site . Dolomitic quicklime is typically used to raise soil pH , while sulphur or aluminum sulfate can lower pH.
Overall , the soil should be be of about 10 to 20 pct organic matter , such as compost , leafage cast or composted pine bark , fit in to the Clemson University Extension , but this should already be in place before you commence digging the hole . If you restrict the amendment to the planting hole , you’re able to limit root growth . Also be cognizant that exquisitely - textured amendments , such as peat moss , can retain too much moisture , while coarse - textured amendments , such as composted pine bark , are less probable to do so .
Mistake No . 3 : Digging too deep . Often tree and shrubs are congeal in a hole that ’s too deep , which can make the flora to suffocate . While unlike horticulturists might provide dissimilar guidelines , a unspoilt convention of thumb is to avoid setting the flora any deeply than its original planting deepness . If transplant a ballock - and - gunny tree , the top of the ascendent ball should rest 1 to 2 inches above the soil story , according to the West Virginia University Extension Service . For bare - root trees and shrubs , filth should pillow at the collar ( aka , the soil depth of the original planting , which is evident on the plant ’s trunk ) . If you ’re planting in flaxen soil and the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree has the potential to knock off more or less , dig up a slightly more shallow muddle to conciliate .
Mistake No . 4 : Not providing enough water system . Because a large percentage of the water - uptake theme can be damage when digging up a transplantation , new transplanted trees need a even irrigation schedule for the first two to three years after planting , especially during juiceless geological period . Lucille Ball - and - gunny transplants will likely necessitate a hebdomadary lachrymation , while stripped - ancestor transplant will need water two to three times per week . Of course , it ’s necessary to pay attention to your mood and water accordingly .
piss farsighted and slow directly to the tree or bush source . To help concentrate water around the root ball , the Clemson Extension Service recommend fabricate a 3 - inch - high water ring around it . Remove the ring before winter so that the water does n’t freeze and spite the trunk .
Mistake No . 5 : Providing too little “ breathing ” room . Just as correct planting profoundness is authoritative , so is the planting - hole width . harmonize to the WVU Extension , the hole should be at least 1 foot wider than the radical glob or gap of roots with perpendicular side . Other resources , such as the Arbor Day Foundation , recommend a jam at least three time the diameter of the root ball or spreading . Also take into account the size of the ripe tree , and situate it in space where it has room to grow . The University of Georgia proffer this equation to reckon space needed :
Mistake No . 6 : bruise the tree . It is easy and common to damage a organ transplant ’s tooth root or trunk during deracinate , transporting and transplantation . Use these tips for more careful handling :
Mistake No . 7 : Too much TLC.It might be your tendency to overprotect a freshly institute tree or bush , but this could do more hurt than good . Other than providing decent moisture and a bed of mulch ( avoiding contact with the torso ) , little need to be done after plant . Only stake or guy a tree if it ’s located in a high - twist region and is therefore unstable . Some horticulturists advise not fertilise right out , as the nitrogen could burn the young plant , but you may perform a grease test after transplant to determine the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree or shrub ’s nutritional needs . It ’s safe to apply a pee - soluble or sluggish - release fertiliser after one year and to reapply every two to three years , but be cautious about plant food use in teetotal period of time .
