Planting Your Plants

If you're planting a new or larger garden, you'll want to lay out where each plant will go before you start digging the holes.  It's no fun to make the hole and then realize you have to move it!  We recommend using flags or stakes to help you visualize the layout and make sure that each plant has the room it needs to reach it's full size.  Be mindful of which plants need to be beside each other for pollination, such as apple trees and some cherry trees, and which plants want to be away from others such as those requiring full sun.

We always recommend digging the hole before removing the plant from its pot so the roots don't dry out.  Usually, a hole just larger than the pot is sufficient unless you are planning to mix in soil amendments like manure when you back fill.  You'll want to break up heavy clay soils around the edge of the hole, if applicable, so the young roots can establish more easily.

The hole shouldn't be deeper than the pot and pay careful attention to where fruit trees are grafted so this knuckle remains a few inches (10cm+) above the ground.  Planting a tree too deep can cause it to die by drowning or rotting at the graft.  

Carefully remove the plant from its pot.  Larger plants are best planted by two people to reduce the risk that the tree is damaged during this process.  Sometimes you may want to lie the tree down beside the hole, slide off the pot, then stand up the tree in the hole.  Have a spotter help make sure it looks straight from every angle.  

It's okay to safely use a knife to cut away cardboard fibre or thin plastic posts, especially if you are having difficulty extracting the root ball.  Don't try to save the pot at the risk of damaging your plant. 

We recommend the first watering in before you backfill the hole and using Root Rescue Transplanter to give your garden it's best start (with a few exceptions because it does not work on blueberries).  If planting a tree, someone may want to keep holding it upright until the backfilling is complete.

Using the soil you dug out of the hold, backfill and compact the soil around the newly planted plant.  If you are amending the soil with manure or triple mix, blend this into the native material then backfill.  A firm patting down with hands are carefully with your foot helps ensure soil compaction around the plant's roots but be mindful not to damage the young plant.  Remember not to plant the plant deeper than it's original depth in the pot and be careful not to bury a fruit tree's graft.  

We recommend using a natural mulch to create a dish around the tree that helps it channel water down to the roots and reduce weeds from competing with the tree for nutrients.  Remember, your mulch should look like a bowl, not a volcano against the trunk!

Next, you'll want to water your tree a second time, being careful not to flood out the mulch dish.  Wait for the water to soak into the ground and water a third time.  While this may seem like a lot of watering, we believe that the first watering done right helps the plant get its best start in the garden.  Not only does the water keep it hydrated, it helps the soil compact around the roots.  

All fruit trees should be staked to prevent damage for the first few seasons.  Younger trees have fresher grafts that are still healing and susceptible to wind damage and once the tree is in leaf, it can be like a bit of a kite if the roots are not yet established.  We recommend metal t-bar stakes because these last several seasons and can be re-used.  Stakes should be placed to support the tree from the direction that wind normally blows.  We do not recommend bamboo stakes, except in well sheltered areas, because they aren't usually strong enough to support a tree long-term.

Next, you'll want to use a horticultural tie to tie the tree to the stake.  We sell webbed strapping, binding tube, and adjustable plastic bands in our online catalogue.  We caution against jute, twine, plastic ropes, or similar because the friction they cause will damage the bark.  

Lastly, consider applying a physical barrier against rodents to all fruit trees such as a plastic coil and spraying Bobbex Deer and Rabbit Repellant on shrubs, vines, and tree canopies to deter animals from also enjoying your tree. 

You can purchase plants for pickup and delivery using our online catalogue or use it to help plan your visit to the farm in spring.