The spring is the absolute best time to plant anything on the prairies. If you are planting something that is going to live a long time – like a tree — then planting it correctly is the most important step in ensuring a long and fruitful life. Taking a little extra time and care when planting will save you a lot of trouble even years down the road.
Before you worry about how to plant, you need to consider where to plant. Try to emulate the conditions where the tree would naturally grow. It is essential to know the mature size of whatever you are planting. When it is mature, is it far enough away from the house, the driveway and powerlines? Will it fit into the location of choice once fully mature?
Container-grown stock can essentially be planted any time in the year. Try to transplant balled and burlapped stock when the tree or shrub is not in active growth and the transpiration needs are lowest—plant in early spring if possible.
When planting a tree grown in a container, the most important thing to remember is to spread out the roots. If the tree has been in the pot for too long it could be “pot-bound,” which in the future will ensure your tree will never grow to its potential. In extreme cases, tightly wound roots will continue to grow that way even after planting, until the roots girdle and choke themselves, killing the tree. In less extreme cases, the roots will not be able to expand much beyond the size of the container and the tree will be less healthy and hardy due to its underdeveloped root system.
After removing the container, check the roots to see how tightly packed they are. Gently tease them apart as much as possible with your hands or with a blunt instrument to avoid tearing the very fine root hairs. The hole the tree is then planted in should be at least twice as wide and deep as the container. A good rule of thumb is if you have purchased a $50 tree, is to dig a $100 hole. Place the tree or shrub into the hole and fill in the area around the tree with soil that is well amended. Ensure the tree or shrub is planted at the same depth it was in the container.
You may purchase trees or shrubs that are not in pots but in a burlap or burlap-like sacking. When planting this type of stock, remove any twine around the roots and if the fabric is synthetic it too should be removed. If it is natural fibre then simply expose the top half of the ball prior to planting. The hole the tree is planted in should ideally be twice as large as the root ball, both in width and depth. Put some amended soil at the bottom of the hole and gently place the root ball in, being sure to lift the tree by the root ball and not the trunk. Fill the hole with well amended soil and pack tightly.
Plant all trees and shrubs at the depth at which they were growing. Any newly planted tree should be watered thoroughly immediately after planting with a dilute high phosphorus fertilizer solution. Ensure you water on a regular basis for its first season as it establishes itself.
Planting a tree or shrub properly, whether it be a fruit tree, ornamental or even just a shade tree, will ensure you get the most out of your investment.
Please note that Saskatchewan School of Horiticulture is having an open house and plant sale Saturday, May 16. Please join us between 2 and 5 p.m. to see our site, find out information about classes and events and take home some healthy plants for your garden. A pot luck BBQ will follow at 5pm so if you are planning to attend the barbecue, please RSVP by May 13 at growyoufuture@gmail.com.
