The First Year, Plants Sleep, Second Year, They Creep & Third Year, They Leap!
Planting trees, shrubs, and perennials is an investment in your landscape’s beauty and health for years to come. Giving them the proper care during planting and in their first few seasons is key to helping them establish strong roots and adapt to their new environment. With a little attention early on—watering, mulching, and monitoring for pests or stress—your plants will thrive and reward you with years of growth, blooms, and natural beauty.
- Dig the hole no deeper than the root ball of the plant. The root ball actually should be 1-2 inches above ground level. In wet soils or heavy clay this can be increased.
- The shape of the new hole should be saucer shaped and 2-3 times wider than the root ball.
- Adding peat moss or manure to soil in the planting hole is usually not necessary. If it is, no more than 5- 10% of the back fill should be amended.
- Never place soil directly on top of the root ball.
- Adding mulch around newly planted trees, shrubs, and perennials not only looks good: it reduces moisture stress, suppresses weed growth, and reduces damage from lawn mowers and weed whips.
- For more detailed information please read this PDF from Colorado State University Extension called The Science of Planting Trees.
Watering
Watering Tips
There is no universal watering frequency that is right for all plants in all circumstances. Plant location, soil type, and weather all affect how often you will need to water.
Before you water, always check the soil around the base of your plants by poking your finger as deep into the soil as you can. If the soil feels moist to the touch, your plant does not need water. When the soil feels dry to the touch, you should water thoroughly enough to wet the entire root zone, not just the top inch of the soil. Use the guidelines on this page to keep your new plants happy and healthy.
Watering Guidelines
- Plants in containers:
At least once a day; 2-3 times daily in hot weather. Not checking on watering needs often enough is the leading cause of container plant failure. - Plants in the ground:
- Annuals: once every couple of days; daily during hot, dry weather.
- Perennials, Shrubs, & Trees: twice a week for the first month after planting; then just once a week for the rest of their first season in the ground.
- Be careful not to water your in-ground plants more often than they need – overwatering is the leading cause of landscape plant failure.