Fall Tree And Shrub Planting

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The caveat here is you still need to adequately water the newly planted plants. Many fall planted shrubs and trees fail the following spring simply because they were not properly watered when planted and then not properly watered over winter and spring.

After digging the proper size planting hole, fill the hole with water to be sure that it drains properly. If it holds water and does not drain this will lead to guaranteed problems down the road. If the hole does not drain, then you may need to double the depth of the hole and replace the soil to allow the root system to stay above the poorly drained soil. Once you have the shrub or tree installed, water it in well then water weekly to keep the soil moist, not wet. Small shrubs need about 5 gallons of water per week. Trees need 5 gallons of water per week per inch of tree trunk diameter.

Continue to monitor the watering needs throughout the winter and do not allow the plant to dry out. Your watering regimen needs to continue. Do not neglect any of your plants but especially remember the new ones. There is a perception that once a plant is established it needs less water. This is simply wrong. Once established and the plants increase in size and root system they actually need more water! Following simple watering guidelines will ensure you have healthy plants for years to come.

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