• Dig your planting hole at least 12" wider (6" on each side) and the SAME DEPTH as the depth of the root ball.
• Mix the soil you removed from the hole with peat moss and cow manure according to your soil type:

         CLAY SOILS:  5 shovels soil - 1 shovel peat moss - 1 shovel manure.
         SANDY SOILS:  3 shovels soil - 1 shovel peat moss - 1 shove manure.
         DO NOT backfill with new black dirt or topsoil; USE YOUR ORIGINAL SOIL WITH AMENDMENTS.

•  Set the root ball in the hole.  It should be just level with or slightly above the original soil grade when placed in the hole.  NO SOIL SHOULD BE ADDED OVER THE TOP OF THE ROOTBALL.
• If your plant or tree is balled and burlapped, remove the burlap from the TOP of the ball only AFTER the plant has been placed in the planting hole and you are done moving the plant.  BE SURE TO CUT AND REMOVE ANY TWINE AROUND THE TRUNK OF THE PLANT.  If the tree has a wire basket, this stays on.
• Carefully backfill around the sides with the mixed soil until the hole is nearly full.  Tamp the soil around the plant firmly with both hands or use your heel to tamp it.  For larger plants and trees, fill and tamp in layers.  Finish filling the hole until the soil is level with the top of the root ball.
• We use and recommend FERTILOME ROOT STIMULATOR fertilizer at the time of planting to promote rapid formation and nourishment of new roots.  Pour the diluted solution (follow label instructions) over the soil as the roots are being covered.  We also recommend the use of FSLN PLANTING TABLETS at the time of planting.  The tablets should be placed in the planting hole, evenly spaced around the top edge of the root ball and about 2 inches deep.  Avoid crushing the tablets.
• Construct a 3" soil dam around the perimeter of the planting hole to facilitate watering.  The soil dam sits over the backfill area.
• Water thoroughly and allow soil to settle, then fill in any settled spots.
• We strongly recommend mulching new plantings with a 3" layer of shredded bark or other mulching material.  The mulch should be kept slightly away from the trunk or stem of the plant.

Your finished planting should look something like this:        

During the first two growing seasons, water your new plantings once every 7 to 10 days, depending on weather conditions.  Plantings in very dry or sandy soils require more frequent watering, probably once every 3 to 5 days.  Remember that in hot weather, the surrounding dry soil may wick water away from your newly planted tree or shrub, so additional water may be needed.

WHEN YOU WATER YOUR PLANTS, SOAK THEM THOROUGHLY.

Avoid watering more than once per week (unless your soil is dry or very sandy).  OVER WATERING is the biggest cause of plant failure.  Like houseplants, your new trees and shrubs need to be thoroughly moistened and then allowed to dry before re-watering.  If a plant exhibits poor growth or yellowing foliage, DO NOT ASSUME that it needs more water - it may have too much!  Before watering always check the plant's root ball by pushing in with your thumb to determine if the soil is soft and moist or hard and dry.

We do recommend that you thoroughly water all plants in mid-November, if needed, before the soil freezes to minimize moisture loss during the winter months.