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3. Planting the Trees or Plants

Soil
planting a tree.jpg

  1. Dig the Hole

    • Make the planting hole twice as wide and the same depth as the root ball.

    • DO NOT use an auger to drill holes - this creates a hard crust around the hole which roots cannot penetrate. This can lead to circling roots which will kill your trees. Instead either drill 3 smaller holes and rough up the side with a shovel, use an excavator or by hand with a shovel.

    • Loosen the sides and bottom to encourage roots to spread out, rather than remaining in a tight cluster. Cut off any circling roots.

  2. Position the Tree

    • Gently remove the tree from its pot or bag, taking care not to damage the roots.

    • Place it in the hole so the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding ground. Planting too deep can lead to root issues.

  3. Backfilling

    • Mix some of the original soil with compost or soil conditioner, then backfill around the root ball. Press down lightly to remove air pockets but avoid compacting the soil excessively.

  4. Watering In

    • Immediately water the tree thoroughly to help settle the soil around the roots.

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