Now, planting sounds like a very simple job to do, and it is. HOWEVER after planting more than 250 hedges around our section, I kinda got the hang of a few nifty little tips I thought I’d share.
Preparing Holes for Planting
If you are digging an untold number of holes, consider a post hole borer. Within a few seconds you have the perfect hole depth of your choosing. If you do opt for this be aware that the force of the hole-borer will impact the ground leaving shiny sides. This is not good as it virtually seals the soil with the heat of the drilling and the plant’s roots won’t appreciate their confined space. So, using a hand trowel or a good old garden spade, rough up the sides and the base of the hole before planting. Your plants will love you.
If digging by hand, go for it! Be generous with the depth and size of the hole, allowing for roots to find their way through looser soil to help settle in.
Plant Fertiliser
Do your plants a favour and add some fertiliser. I used a sprinkling of Osmocote which is a granular slow-release fertiliser that will last for months and give the roots some goodness to help them bed down. For larger plants (small trees), try using a couple of blocks of Tree & Shrub slow-release tablets. Be sure to add a shovel of soil OVER the fertiliser before planting so the roots don’t have direct contact with them as they will burn.
Loosening the Roots
If you are planting an already established hedge or tree, its root system will be already well developed – if not root-bound in the planter pot it was grown in. There is no benefit at all in taking the plant from the pot and planting it WITHOUT loosening up the roots first.
My humble planting tips:
- Water the potted plant thoroughly before planting in the ground. Not only will it be kind to the plant before settling into its new home, it really helps loosen the roots.
- With one hand, with your pointer and middle finger in a V around the main stem at the base, tip the pot upside down with the other so the pot cleanly slides off. This will be easy when the soil is fully drenched.
- Still supporting the stem with one hand, use your thumb and fingers of your other hand to claw into the root mass a little to loosen just one area. I found getting a little rhythm going works a treat: claw/loosen the soil then lightly bump on the ground while rotating the plant a couple of inches each time. Every time you bump it on the ground, it loosens the soil further. It sounds laboursome but it’s not.
Mulching
If you are mulching (which is a great way to keep the weeds temporarily at bay, and at least hold some moisture in the soil) don’t use fresh mulch. If it is freshly mulched wood it may attempt to such nutrients out of the soil which is anti-productive. Older mulch however, that which has started to decompose, is just fine.
Happy planting!
