Wolf Hill Planting and Watering Instructions

Wolf Hill Planting and Watering

Planting Instructions

1. Before selecting a plant, you need to select the proper location for planting. It’s very important to observe the desired location and its growing conditions. You’ll need to know how many hours of direct sunlight (note that full sun is 6+ hours of direct sunlight, part shade is 3-6 hours of direct sunlight, and full shade/dappled shade is less than 3 hours of sunlight per day), what type of soil (clay, loam, sand) and moisture in the soil. What other large trees are surrounding the area (for example, pine trees can create an acidic soil)? Are you directly on the ocean? Do you get strong winds? These questions will help you pick the right plant for your planting location.

2. Dig a hole 2-3 times the size of the container or root-ball to allow for generous backfill to be added. For the backfill soil, we recommend using 1/2 Coast of Maine Penobscot Blend Planting Mix (pictured to the right ) and 1/2 native soil. Heavy clay soils may need additional sand or peat moss added to loosen it.

3. When the hole is just as deep as the root-ball, make a small mound of backfill to set the root-ball or container on, keeping the “trunk flare” just above existing grade (1-2″). Do not plant too low, nor too high, and avoid covering any foliage or stems under the soil. Grafted plants must have the graft above the soil.

4. a.) For a container plant, remove the pot and score the roots with a sharp knife or a pruner blade all the way around to promote pot- bound growth outward.
   b.) For balled and burlap plants (B&B) remove all material from the top 1/3 of the root ball (such as burlap, rope, etc.). Metal baskets should have the top 1/3 bent down below grade or removed. Burlap and metal baskets below grade are okay to leave on the root ball, but you do need to score the sides of the burlap through to the roots to encourage outward root growth. Be sure to remove all burlap touching the trunk of the plant.

5. Add backfill to 2/3 of the hole. Lightly tamp the soil to remove air pockets. Fill with water and allow to drain. Once drained, continue to fill the rest of the hole with backfill and create a donut shaped ring or saucer 3-4″ high around the outside of the hole, which will act as a reservoir to retain water. Fill the reservoir 2-3 times on the day of planting, letting it drain completely in between fillings.

6. Mulch over the planting with 2-3″ deep of bark mulch to help retain water, keeping 2-4″ around the trunk free of mulch. DO NOT let the mulch touch the trunk.

Additional information and/or recommendations: If fertilizing, we recommend Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus to help establish root growth for newly planted trees, shrubs and perennials. Please carry plants by their container or root ball – carrying plants by their tops or trunks may cause the weight of the soil ball to break the roots from the trunk or branches to crack. Plants should be watered immediately after their arrival at your home. Daily hand watering is a must until your plant has been planted in the ground for at least 2 weeks. Every plant is different and may require different watering habits. If you have any questions or concerns about your tree or shrub, please call the tree & shrub department to talk with one of our nursery staff members ­ we’re happy to help!

If a tree must be staked due to abnormally windy conditions or if the root ball is loose, drive 2 stakes deep into the edges of the hole, making sure to anchor them in the undisturbed soil. Using heavyduty cloth or specialty plastic tree-chain, secure the trunk to the stakes just below the lowest branch leaving 1-2 inches of slack. Remove after the tree has established its root system or after 1 year, whichever comes first. A tree that is staked too long or tight becomes dependent on the stakes and will not grow strong enough roots to support it. Avoid wire, which could become girdled.

Watering Instructions

Water is a critical factor to the successful establishment of landscape plants. Excessive or insufficient water will impede the formation and/or elongation of new roots. Immediately after planting, water the root ball and the planting area deeply. The root ball of newly planted trees must receive adequate water weekly during the entire first growing season – right up until dormancy in the fall – to become established. More frequent watering may be needed during the summer season or in times of extended drought. Rainfall alone WILL NOT provide the adequate, consistent moisture necessary for establishment. On larger caliper trees, weekly watering is necessary through the next 3-4 growing seasons. According to research, “in the Northern part of the US, the establishment period, for recently transplanted trees, is approximately one year for each one inch of trunk caliper”.

A daily deep watering for the first two weeks is necessary, then every other day for two weeks. We strongly recommend hand watering for the first two weeks, and not relying on irrigation (especially overhead irrigation). After that, soak your plants roots twice a week using low water pressure or a rain wand, gradually backing off to once a week, until late fall. Be sure to maintain the saucer and repair any washed-out areas to maintain the reservoir. One-half inch of rain or more will reduce the amount of water you need to apply. However, care should be taken not to overwater as this may result in oxygen deprivation. If you are uncertain as to whether a plant needs watering, dig down 6-8″ at the edge of the planting hole. If the soil at that depth feels powdery or crumbly, the plant needs water. Adequately moistened soil should form a ball when squeezed. You should check this periodically to make sure the water is penetrating into the root system. Regular deep soakings are better than frequent light wettings. Moisture should reach a depth of 12-18″ below the soil surface to encourage ideal root growth.

Please note the approximate watering volumes for well drained soils:
1 to 2 gallon plant pots will need 2-4 gallons per week
3 to 5 gallon plant pots will need 6-8 gallons per week
7 to 9 gallon plant pots will need 7-9 gallons per week
10 to 15 gallon plant pots will need 10 gallons per week
Caliper trees will need 10 gallons per 1” trunk diameter per week.
If planted a plant that prefers drier soil, start with about 1⁄2 the amount of water suggested above, monitoring weekly to determine how much water is required.

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