Peaceful Valley Mulberry Tree Planting User Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Peaceful Valley
Table of Contents
Mulberry
Planting & Growing Guide
Questions? Contact us at 888-784-1722
or helpdesk@groworganic.com
Receiving Your Trees
When you receive your trees, they will be boxed securely with their roots wrapped in plastic and their limbs and roots trimmed back (not fully pruned) to fit the package. First, inspect the bag and make sure that the media around the roots is moist. In the event that the media requires additional moisture, use a clean spray bottle to moisten it evenly. If you are not ready to plant upon arrival, see the “Heeling in” section below. Make sure your tree’s roots do not freeze hard. Place them in a sheltered location like a garage if you expect a freeze before your trees are planted. It is essential that the young tree roots have plenty of time to become established before the tree begins its spring limb growth and bud break, so plant the tree while it is in deep dormancy.
Heeling In
When your bare root trees arrive, open the plastic bags immediately. It is
best to plant right away, within a week of delivery, however if you cannot
plant right away, you may “heel in” the trees to protect them and keep them
alive (but still dormant) until you are able to plant them in their permanent
spot.
Outdoors: To heel in bare root trees outside, pick a location that is shielded
from wind. Dig a trench about twice as deep as the roots are long, with one
side of the trench sloping at a 45° angle. Place the tree roots side down, so
that the trunks are supported by the sloping side.
Cover the roots with soil or sand and gently tamp down to avoid air pockets.
Periodically check the root area, keeping the soil moist. Indoors: To heel in
bare root trees indoors, whether due to snow or a frozen ground, choose a
cool place like a root cellar, basement, or garage. It’s important to choose a
place where the temperature stays between 38°F and 45°F. This is important so
the tree roots neither freeze, nor does the tree break dormancy. Place the
roots in a container with soil or sand and be sure to keep the root area
moist. See our “Heeling in Bare Root Trees” video for more details.
Planting
Mulberries require full sun exposure, well drained loamy soil and prefer a pH
of 6–6.5. They are self fertile and fairly resilient. Adequate spacing is
essential—from 15–30’ between bushes or other obstructions. The fruit is
messy and stains patios and walkways. Mulberries are prone to desiccation and
frost damage when planted from bare root. To reduce the risk of plant loss it
is a good idea to thoroughly hydrate the plant and prune back the lateral
growth of the plant to reduce the amount of surface area exposure.
Mulberries can be container grown for up to ten years by replenishing the soil
as it is repotted into successively larger pots during the dormant season.
WaterWater
While mulberries are somewhat drought tolerant, they will drop all fruit if
the roots are not provided adequate moisture.
Important Information
-
If your tree arrived damaged, take photographs and contact us immediately and we will provide you with a refund of the purchase price, or a replacement. Please note: broken branches do not affect the viability of the tree. Please watch our video “Bare Root (Dormant) Warranty” for more information on how to determine the viability of your tree.
-
You should plant your tree in the ground by April 1st.
If you are unable to do so, you can plant it in a pot or “heel in” your tree until you are able to plant. -
The main trunk will be pruned to 4 ft. This will direct the tree’s energy into developing a strong root system.
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Both roots and branches may also be pruned. Please do not be alarmed! We work closely with our tree grower to make sure the amount of pruning we do will not stunt the growth of your new tree.
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Your tree may not have any branching, but new branches will grow from buds along the trunk.
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In the rare event that your tree does not leaf out by May 15th, we offer a Limited Guarantee on dormant trees. See the last page for details.
Fertilization
Feeding requirements are minimal. A single application of a balanced amendment
each year in late winter should be sufficient. Adding a top dressing of well
aged manure in the spring can be beneficial.
Viability
Performing a scratch test on the bark to check for green beneath the outer
layer is helpful in checking viability prior to budding. Adequate root
structure should be established before budding for the long term health of
the plant. If the bush produces growth from below the graft it should be
removed. If the only subsequent growth is from the root, the viability of the
graft may be questioned. The growth from the root has a 50% chance of being
female and thus producing future fruit, but not the type of mulberry grafted.
Videos
Growing Mulberries
How to Heel In Bare Root Trees
How to Plant a Tree
Fruit Tree Spraying
Fertilizing Fruit Trees
Articles
Here We Go ‘Round the Mulberry Bush
Summertime Fruit Tree Care
Pruning Science: How Trees Heal
The Best Pollination for Your Fruit Trees
Visit Our
Fruit Tree Central
for tons of information and videos
about tree planting & care!
groworganic.com/organic-gardening/articles/fruit-
trees
200+ HOW-TO VIDEOS • 300+ ARTICLES • PLANTING CALCULATOR
TIP OF THE WEEK • GROWING GUIDES • RECIPES & MORE!
groworganic.com/pages/resource-center
Return Policy
Perishable Items (3-Day Return Policy)
We guarantee the perishable items we sell to be in good, viable condition when
we sell them.
Perishable items include, but are not limited to, garlic bulbs, flower bulbs,
seed potatoes, onion sets & transplants, bare-root trees, vegetable crowns…
etc. If your perishable item arrives in substandard condition, please contact
us within 3 days of the purchase date (or delivery date) and we will provide
you with a refund of the purchase price (including shipping costs), or a
replacement. Accordingly, we urge you to open any boxes marked as “Perishable”
immediately upon receiving them. Because some perishable items can
deteriorate very quickly, we cannot accept any claims beyond the 3-day time
frame as it becomes too difficult to determine if these items were delivered
in substandard condition, or if they turned into such substandard condition
because of having been improperly cared for or stored once delivered.
Limited Product Guarantee
Limitation of Remedy
We warrant to the extent of the purchase price only that the seeds or plants
sold hereunder are as described on the label within recognized tolerances. No
other warranty is given, expressed or implied, of (1) the merchantability or
fitness of the seeds or plants for any particular purpose, or (2) against loss
due to any cause. We cannot accept any responsibility for the many
uncontrollable growing and climatic conditions (soil preparation,
fertilization, weed and pest control, temperature control, irrigation…etc.)
that must be met to insure the success of your crop(s) or plants.
Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee
* Claim deadline is June 15th
We guarantee that your dormant tree or plant will arrive in good, viable
condition. If your tree arrives in substandard condition, notify us within 3
days of delivery. Please email pictures of the box, inside packaging, the
tree and its roots to
helpdesk@groworganic.com. We will
investigate your claim and process a request to exchange or refund the
damaged product.
If your dormant tree or plant has not grown new leaves by June 15th, you may
be eligible for our Limited Dormant Tree & Plant Guarantee. This guarantee
provides for a store credit for the purchase price of the tree, excluding
shipping. Please see the Instructions below.
Important Dates:
- April 1st Dormant trees/plants must be planted in the ground
- May 15th Perform scratch test, if no new leaves have grown
- June 15th Deadline to apply for a dormant tree/plant credit
All required documentation must be received by June 15th for your claim to be
considered. Claims or documentation received after June 15th will be denied,
without xception. Instructions listed below Terms and Conditions
We cannot guarantee that your tree or plant will remain alive and healthy
after it is received, or bear fruit as there are too many variables in your
environment that are beyond our control (i.e. soil preparation, weed and pest
control, proper irrigation, chill hours, compatible hardiness for your growing
zone, proper choice of pollinator, extreme weather, rodent damage, disease,
etc.).
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to provide a replacement tree/plant
of the same species either that same growing season or in future years.
Customers are esponsible for all shipping fees associated with replacement
trees and plants.
If we determine that the tree you purchased directly from us is not viable, we
will issue you a store credit (not a refund) for the purchase price of the
affected dormant tree or plant. Shipping is not included in the dormant
tree/plant guarantee. Store credits can be used to purchase any product we
sell and are valid for use only until July 1st of the following year.
Historically, 98% of our dormant trees and plants grow and thrive when they
have been cared for and planted using our growing guides. Dormant trees and
plants must be planted in the ground by April 1st in order to be eligible for
credit. If the ground in your area is still frozen solid, you may temporarily
plant your tree or plant in a pot.
Potted, non-dormant trees or plants are excluded from this guarantee as they
are not dormant at the time of shipment. Evergreen trees such as citrus,
avocado and olive trees are not available for credit under the Dormant Tree
and Plant Guarantee.
Instructions
We guarantee that your dormant fruit tree or plant will leaf out, if you care
for it according to our growing guides. In the unlikely event that your
dormant tree or plant does not have leaves by May 15th, follow these simple
steps to apply for a store credit:
Before you call or email, please perform a “scratch test” to determine if the
tree or plant is still alive. This video shows how to check for live tissue
under the bark. Scratch tests need to be done a few inches above and below
the graft.
Green Cambium Layer–Living Trees/Plants
If the cambium layer under the bark is green, give your tree a little more
time. It is still alive, but hasn’t come out of dormancy yet. Check to make
sure that it is getting the right amount of deep root water, enough sunlight
and that the weather is warm enough for that type of tree/plant to come out of
dormancy. Every tree has its own personality and will come out of dormancy at
different times. Be sure to submit the required documentation listed below by
June 15th, if it doesn’t grow leaves.
Brown Cambium Layer–Dead Trees/Plants
If the scratch test shows a brown cambium layer or if your dormant tree/plant
doesn’t have leaves by June 1st, please email us at
helpdesk@groworganic.com. All required
documentation
listed below must be received by June 15th for your claim to be considered. To
be considered for the guarantee claim, all required documentation must be
received by June 15th. Incomplete submissions will be denied.
Required Documentation
- Order number
- Name of dormant tree/plant and the quantity affected
- Photos of each tree or plant showing: The roots (tree or plant must be pulled out of the ground), the scratch test areas, the entire tree/plant
We reserve the right to not issue credit for items that have already been replaced. We also reserve the right to require photographic evidence that the tree/plant was not killed by root rot, rodent or mechanical damage.
Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply
P.O. Box 2209 125 Clydesdale Ct. Grass Valley, CA 95945
888-784-1722 Fax
530-272-4794
www.growOrganic.com
Entire contents © 2022 Peaceful Valley Holdings, Inc All rights reserved.
Revised August 12, 2022
References
- Fruit Tree Central: Guide to Peaceful Valley Fruit Tree Information – Grow Organic
- Organic Gardening Resource Center from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden – Grow Organic