| Planting trees and shrubs is a task that most of | | | | plants for a year if you use Mics when planting. |
| us end up doing some time in our lifetime. For one | | | | Mix the Mics in with the soil and soil prep before |
| reason, gardening is fun and relaxing. This article is | | | | replacing the soil. |
| general in nature. It is impossible to account for | | | | Root Starter |
| every variety of plant. | | | | If you don't have Mics you may want to use root |
| Get To Know Your Plants | | | | starter. It comes in a liquid concentrate. You mix |
| Nearly all plants need some drainage. Water that is | | | | it with water; usually in a five gallon bucket. |
| left continually on roots can cause roots to rot | | | | Completely douse the root ball with the root |
| and diseases to flourish. You should read about | | | | starter water when the plant is first placed in the |
| the plant to see if it needs a lot of drainage or | | | | hole. The root starter helps reduce transplant |
| not. In addition, some plants require special planting | | | | shock. |
| instructions specific to that plant. However, our | | | | Add Mulch on Root Ball |
| techniques work well for most plants. | | | | Add a couple inches of mulch or soil pep on top |
| Soil Pep | | | | of the roots. The mulch will retain water and keep |
| Soil pep is a popular soil amendment. There is also | | | | the plant cooler and moister. |
| a knock off brand called soil prep. It's a | | | | Sand |
| combination of organic material mixed with wood | | | | If you have plants that require a lot of drainage |
| shavings. The consistency allows for drainage and | | | | or if your soil is clay, you can add sand for |
| nutrients. After you dig a hole, replace a third of | | | | drainage. A third of the dirt you put back in the |
| the dirt with soil pep. If the soil is bad, use more. | | | | hole should be sand. In addition, you can also put |
| Size of Hole | | | | gravel beneath the root ball, if you need a lot of |
| The hole should be twice the size of the root ball. | | | | drainage. |
| This means twice as large in width, not depth. | | | | Water |
| Put Soil Pep in Hole First | | | | Water the plant a lot the first day you plant. |
| You don't want the root ball sitting on bad dirt. | | | | Make sure the root ball and surrounding area is |
| You should put a few inches of soil pep in the hole | | | | thoroughly wet. For additional watering, you want |
| first. This will keep the root ball drained. Then add | | | | to keep the soil wet down to the bottom of the |
| the dirt mixed with soil prep. | | | | root ball, but not to have any standing water. This |
| Mics | | | | can usually be accomplished with two to three |
| Mics is short for micronutrients and is also an | | | | waterings per week with 20 minute durations. It |
| actual brand name. It's comes in granular form. It | | | | depends a lot on the weather. To be safe, check |
| is actually a fungus that lives in the soil and feeds | | | | the soil with a screwdriver or shovel. |
| the roots. Some nurseries will even guarantee the | | | | |