Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How to Plant Trees in Wire Baskets

#1 – Prepare your hole ahead of time, following the below estimated hole sizes. To get a head start on watering, you can fill your hole partially with water ahead of planting, and let it soak into the ground.

#2 – Once your tree arrives at your site, and is set into your hole, make sure that the tree is sitting at proper grade (either at grade with the topsoil or grass, or at the proposed grade). You do not want the tree sitting too deep, as this will suffocate (drown) your plant. If you have dug too deep of a hole, and have filled it in with new material, it may be necessary to set your tree slightly (1-1.5 inch) above grade, as settling may occur.

#3 – Use fresh, dark screened topsoil or loam, to back fill the hole about one-third to half way full. Pack this soil using your boots, or poking it down with the handle side of a shovel, ensuring no air pockets remain.

#4 – Now cut and remove all white strapping from the top of the wire basket. Cut off the top third of the wire basket, using wire or bolt cutters. Watch for sharp edges after cutting the top of the basket off

#5 – Carefully peel back the burlap from the top third of the root ball, and cut it off, along the same line you snipped the basket. The remaining burlap will decompose over the next few years.

#6 – Finish backfilling around the rootball with a good soil as mentioned above. Again, ensure that the soil has been thoroughly packed in firmly around the tree so that there are no air pockets. Add soil as needed and compact again, until hole is full.

#7 – It is now advisable to create a dirt water well around your tree, especially if the tree has been placed in a non-irrigated area. This is done by building up a circle of dirt, about 3-5 inches tall, around the outer edge of your hole. Its purpose is to catch and hold water, allowing it to seep deeper into the rootball soil.

How to Plant Trees & Shrubs in Plastic Pots

#1 – Dig the hole about 1.5-2 times wider than the pot, and about 2 inches deeper than the pot. A rough hole guideline is below:

#2 – Remove the plastic pot from the plant, and gently pull apart and massage the roots with your hands a little bit. It is also recommended to score, or slice, the roots a few times with a clean knife, from top to bottom of the rootball, to promote new root growth.

#3 – Add about 2 inches of good fresh soil into the bottom of your hole, and set your plant into the center hole, even with ground level. Make sure that the plant is sitting at proper grade with the topsoil or grass, or at the proposed grade. You do not want the plant sitting too deep, as this will suffocate (drown) your plant.

#4 – Use fresh, dark screened topsoil or loam, to back fill the hole about one-third to half way full. Pack this soil using your boots, or pushing it down with your hands, ensuring no air pockets remain.

#5 – Now finish backfilling around the rootball with a good soil as mentioned above. Again, ensure that the soil has been thoroughly packed in firmly around the plant so that there are no air pockets. Repeat adding dirt, and packing it down, until your hole is full.

#6 – It is now advisable to create a dirt water well around your plant, especially if it has been placed in a non-irrigated area. This is done by building up a circle of dirt, about 2-3 inches tall, around the outer edge of your hole. Its purpose is to catch and hold water, allowing it to seep deeper into the rootball soil.

#7 – Top dressing the planting area with bark mulch is highly recommended, as mulch will retain moisture and prevents some weed growth. Do not place or build up the mulch directly against the trunk or branches of the plant, and no more than 1 inch of mulch is needed. Too much mulch can be a bad thing, retaining too much moisture, drowning your plant.

Plant Care

Watering

Watering plants is of utmost importance for their overall health and well-being. Proper watering is crucial for maintaining a thriving garden or indoor plant collection. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of watering plants:

Survival: Water is essential for the survival of plants. It is a primary component required for various physiological processes in plants, such as photosynthesis and nutrient uptake. Without adequate water, plants cannot produce their food and energy, leading to their eventual decline and death.
Cellular Turgidity: Water is responsible for maintaining the turgor pressure within plant cells, providing structural support and rigidity to the plant. When plants have enough water, they remain upright, and their leaves and stems appear healthy and vibrant.
Nutrient Transport: Water acts as a carrier for essential nutrients dissolved in the soil. Through the process of osmosis, water moves into the roots and transports nutrients throughout the plant, facilitating growth and development.
Photosynthesis: Water is one of the key components needed for photosynthesis, the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. During photosynthesis, water is split, releasing oxygen and supplying electrons to drive the production of sugars and other organic compounds that fuel plant growth.
Temperature Regulation: Water has a cooling effect on plants through transpiration. During transpiration, plants release water vapor from their leaves, which cools them down and the surrounding air. This helps prevent overheating and maintains suitable temperatures for plant growth.
Root Development: Proper watering encourages strong root development. Adequate water in the soil ensures that roots can access nutrients and anchor the plant securely, enhancing its ability to withstand environmental stresses.
Disease Prevention: Overly dry or waterlogged soil can weaken plants and make them more susceptible to diseases and pest infestations. Consistent and appropriate watering can help strengthen plants’ natural defense mechanisms and resilience.
Flowering and Fruiting: Many plants require a consistent water supply to initiate and sustain flowering and fruiting processes. Lack of water during these critical stages can lead to poor flower and fruit development.
Aesthetic Appeal: Adequately watered plants look healthier and more attractive. Vibrant, lush foliage and colorful blooms enhance the aesthetic appeal of any garden or indoor space.
Environmental Stewardship: Watering plants responsibly and efficiently contributes to environmental conservation. Overwatering wastes water and can lead to runoff, while underwatering can result in the loss of valuable greenery in our ecosystems.

In summary, proper watering is essential for the overall health, growth, and beauty of plants. By understanding the specific water requirements of each plant species and adjusting watering practices accordingly, gardeners and plant enthusiasts can foster thriving and resilient plant communities.

Fertilizing

Fertilizing plants is essential for maintaining healthy, vigorous growth and promoting optimal development. Fertilizers provide plants with essential nutrients that may be lacking in the soil, helping them reach their full potential. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of fertilizing plants:

Nutrient Enrichment: Soils may naturally lack certain essential nutrients required for plant growth, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Fertilizers supplement the soil with these nutrients, ensuring that plants have access to a balanced diet of vital elements.
Enhanced Growth: Adequate and balanced nutrient supply through fertilization stimulates robust growth in plants. They develop stronger roots, healthier stems, and lush foliage, which leads to improved overall health and appearance.
Increased Yield: Fertilizing plants appropriately can significantly enhance crop yields in agricultural settings. By providing plants with the necessary nutrients during their growth stages, farmers can improve productivity and food production.
Promotion of Flowering and Fruiting: Certain nutrients, such as phosphorus and potassium, play a vital role in promoting flower and fruit development. Adequate fertilization encourages plants to produce more flowers and fruits, benefiting both aesthetics and potential harvests.
Resilience to Stress: Well-fertilized plants tend to be more resilient to environmental stressors, such as drought, extreme temperatures, and diseases. Adequate nutrients support robust cell structures and enable plants to better withstand adverse conditions.
Root Development: Fertilizers with essential nutrients like phosphorus encourage root growth and development. Strong root systems are crucial for nutrient and water uptake, anchoring plants in the soil, and overall plant stability.
Correcting Nutrient Deficiencies: When plants show signs of nutrient deficiencies, fertilization can be an effective solution. For example, yellowing leaves might indicate a lack of nitrogen, and applying a nitrogen-rich fertilizer can address the issue and restore plant health.
Balancing Soil pH: Some fertilizers can help balance soil pH levels. Soil pH influences nutrient availability to plants, and maintaining the correct pH range ensures optimal nutrient uptake and utilization.
Replenishing Nutrient Depletion: Plants extract nutrients from the soil as they grow, and if these nutrients are not replenished, the soil can become depleted over time. Fertilizing helps maintain soil fertility, supporting sustainable gardening and agriculture.
Environmental Benefits: Proper fertilization practices, such as using slow-release fertilizers or organic alternatives, can minimize nutrient runoff and pollution of water bodies, promoting environmentally friendly gardening and farming practices.

However, it’s essential to apply fertilizers judiciously, as excessive use can lead to nutrient imbalances, environmental pollution, and harm to plants. Understanding the nutrient requirements of different plants and using the appropriate type and amount of fertilizer will help ensure successful fertilization and foster healthy, thriving plant growth.

Prunning

Pruning is a crucial horticultural practice that involves cutting off specific parts of a plant, such as branches, shoots, or flowers. When done correctly and at the right time, pruning offers several benefits for the overall health, appearance, and productivity of plants. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of pruning plants:

Encouraging Healthy Growth: Pruning helps redirect a plant’s energy to the remaining branches and shoots, promoting more robust and healthy growth. By removing dead, damaged, or diseased parts, the plant can focus on developing new, vigorous growth.
Enhancing Plant Appearance: Regular pruning can improve the overall appearance and aesthetics of plants. By shaping and controlling their growth, you can create more visually appealing landscapes and garden designs.
Controlling Size and Shape: Pruning allows gardeners to manage the size and shape of plants. This is especially important for controlling the growth of trees and shrubs in limited spaces, preventing them from becoming overgrown and encroaching on structures or other plants.
Stimulating Flowering and Fruiting: For many flowering plants, proper pruning can encourage more abundant and vibrant blooms. Additionally, in fruit-bearing plants, strategic pruning can lead to higher fruit production and improved fruit quality.
Improving Air Circulation: Thinning out dense foliage through pruning can enhance air circulation within the plant canopy. Improved airflow reduces the risk of fungal diseases and promotes a healthier growing environment.
Preventing Pest and Disease Infestations: Pruning can remove pest-infested or diseased parts, helping to prevent the spread of problems to the rest of the plant or other nearby plants.
Renewing Old Plants: Pruning older plants can revitalize them, encouraging new growth and extending their overall lifespan. This is particularly beneficial for certain shrubs and trees that tend to become woody and less productive over time.
Shaping Young Plants: Pruning young plants can establish a strong and balanced framework for future growth. This early training ensures that the plant develops a desirable structure as it matures.
Safety and Maintenance: Pruning is essential for maintaining safety in gardens and landscapes. Removing low-hanging branches and deadwood reduces the risk of accidents and property damage during storms or high winds.
Encouraging Fruit and Flower Development: Removing spent flowers and fruit after they have matured can stimulate the plant to produce more flowers and fruits, promoting a continuous blooming and harvest cycle.

However, it’s crucial to remember that improper or excessive pruning can be harmful to plants, potentially weakening them or causing irreversible damage. Each plant species has its unique pruning requirements, and understanding the proper techniques and timing is essential. Consulting with a knowledgeable gardener or horticulturist can ensure that pruning is done correctly and in a way that maximizes the benefits for the plants.

Soil Care

Soil care is of utmost importance for successful planting and the long-term health of plants. Proper soil preparation and ongoing care create a favorable environment for plant roots to establish, access nutrients, and thrive. Here are some key reasons highlighting the importance of soil care for planting:

Nutrient Availability: Healthy soil is rich in essential nutrients necessary for plant growth. By caring for the soil, you ensure that plants have access to a balanced supply of nutrients, promoting robust growth, and preventing nutrient deficiencies.
Water Retention: Well-cared-for soil has proper water-holding capacity, ensuring that plants receive adequate moisture for their needs. This helps withstand periods of drought and reduces the frequency of watering, which promotes water conservation.
Root Development: Soil care, such as loosening compacted soil and removing rocks or debris, allows plant roots to penetrate easily. Strong and extensive root systems anchor plants securely, enhance nutrient and water absorption, and support healthy growth.
Drainage: Proper soil care helps improve soil drainage, preventing waterlogged conditions that can lead to root rot and other diseases. Well-drained soil ensures that excess water can escape, reducing the risk of plant stress and root damage.
Soil Structure: Regular soil care practices, like adding organic matter, contribute to better soil structure. A well-structured soil creates pore spaces, allowing oxygen to reach plant roots and facilitating root respiration.
pH Balance: Monitoring and adjusting soil pH is essential for plant health. Most plants prefer a specific pH range, and caring for the soil by correcting acidity or alkalinity issues helps ensure optimal nutrient availability.
Reduction of Soil Erosion: Healthy soil with good vegetation cover helps prevent soil erosion caused by wind or water. Erosion control is vital to maintaining soil fertility and preventing the loss of valuable topsoil.
Weed Control: Caring for the soil includes controlling weeds that compete with plants for nutrients, water, and sunlight. Weed management promotes better plant growth and reduces the risk of weed-induced plant diseases.
Disease Prevention: Proper soil care practices can minimize the risk of soil-borne diseases. Removing infected plant debris and maintaining good soil drainage help create an environment less conducive to pathogen growth.
Sustainability: Soil care practices that focus on organic matter addition, crop rotation, and reduced chemical inputs promote sustainable gardening and agriculture. By maintaining soil health, we can sustain productive ecosystems for future generations.

Investing time and effort into soil care before and during planting sets the foundation for a thriving garden or landscape. By nurturing the soil and ensuring its fertility, gardeners can enjoy healthier and more productive plants that contribute to a vibrant and sustainable environment.