Installing Plant Materials

How are plants installed in a landscape?

Plant Installation Considerations

Water requirementsAmount of water plants need to grow and liveDrought tolerance- ability of plant to grow wit

low amounts of moistureUse plants that fit the climate

Growth rate and maturityThink about mature size of plant If little spread to plant, then plant closer

together Hardiness, Heat-zone, and adaptations

How well a plant is suited to a climateLight requirements for a plant

Nutrient and pH needsTake soil test and then match plants to

naturally available nutrients

Sources of info for selecting and installing plants Should tell you

Common and scientific names Deciduous or evergreen Height and spread of plant Growth, training, and trimming requirements Characteristics of flowers and fruit Hardiness zone Heat-zone Pest resistance and problems Sun requirements (full sun, partial sun, or shade) Water requirements Life span (perennial, biennial or annual) Potential problems

Using XeriscapingWater conservation through creative,

appropriate landscaping and water management

Pick plants according to water availabilityLimit turf areasUse efficient irrigation systems (drip systems) Improve the WHC of soilWater zones- amount of water needed by

plants Very low water zone (native shrubs, cacti), low

water zone (shrubs, groundcovers), moderate water zone (annuals, succulents)

Preplanting info

Cover plants with tarp when transporting Spring planting- bare root material Fall planting- container/B&B material Avoid summer planting to minimize water needs Selecting trees

Is the trunk straight and crown symmetrical? Does the tree show signs of current season growth?

Expanded buds, new leaves, elongated shoots

Are there any signs of disease or insect damage?

Planting Techniques for trees and shrubs B&B planting

Soil ball- soil surrounding the root system that has been balled and burlapped

Dig hole a min. of 12” larger than the soil ball Top of hole should be level with top of soil ball Carefully place plant in hole without removing burlap

to check for size Untie and remove twine from trunk and stems Remove burlap from soil ball and push down into the

walls of the planting hole Video

Container grown planting techniques Dig hole Remove plant and roots from pot and place in hole

with the best looking side forward If roots are circled in pot, cut roots and spread them

before planting Video

Bare root planting techniques Remove thin plastic covering around roots Dig a hole as deep as the longest root and 12” wider

that the root system Plant at the same level as previously planted (stain) Back fill hole and tamp to remove pockets of air Construct a saucer by creating a small berm around

edge of planting hole to hole irrigation water Video

BackfillingBreak up all large soil clumpsPartially back fill the hole with existing soil and

tamp the soil around the root systemFinish filling soil and tamp to remove air

pocketsConstruct a saucer, slightly larger than the

root system, with the extra soilFill saucer with water

Staking Trees 6-12’ tall may need support Dive 2-3 long wooden stakes next to the soil ball and

attach a wire b/t the stakes and the tree trunk Protect the trunk from the wire by covering the wire

with a short piece of rubber hose

Watering Use 2 5-gallon buckets of water on large shrubs and

trees Tell homeowner to continue this practice weekly for

the first growing season if there has been no rainfall during the week

Fertilizer and anti-transpirantDon’t fertilize at transplantingSpray foliage with anti-transpirant to reduce

water loss during transplanting Trunk wrapping

Wrap tree trunks with a heavy paper to protect from sunscald

Ground cover installationPlant 8-12” apartWater frequently when establishing

Vine installationUse vines for overhead protection over patios

or to soften a wall or fenceUse a trellis to support the weak stems

Planting techniques for flowers

Flower border- flowers in front of the shrubs Flower bed- contains only flowers Remove grass and turf from bed Add organic matter and till into the top 6” of soil Plant flowers and apply preemergence pesticide Hand water and weed regularly Fertilize 2x per yr

Flowering bulbs/tubers/cormsPlant hardy flowering bulbs in fall

Tulips, daffodils, hyacinths

Final planting steps

Bed edgingMake a clean, crisp line b/t grass and bedCan use plastic, steel, aluminum, paves,

timbers, and treated wood Installation

Dig a trench deep enough to bury edging with 1/2-3/4 inch exposed above mulch

Follow manufacturer’s directions to install stakes

Landscape fabric Reduces weed competition Use geotextiles to let air, water, and fertilizer enter

soil Clear area to bare soil and unroll fabric Place “X” cut over plant and slip over plant Cover fabric with a minimum of 4” of mulch

Mulch Reduces water loss, prevent weed growth, keeps soil

warm, and prevents erosion Spread mulch 1-4” deep Organic mulches decay quickly Inorganic mulches (gravel, stone, sand) rarely need

replenishing