Gardenwerks of Helena - Planting Guide

Thanks again for choosing your plant material from GARDENWERKS. To help you have a successful landscape experience, we suggest the following:

If you are not planting immediately, water plants thoroughly and keep them out of wind and hot sun. If plants are in pots, water them daily. Ball and burlap plants should be mulched in and watered. Handle plants gently and always lift or carry plants by the pot or root ball.

Location — Select the proper location for the plant. Consider its growth characteristics such as sunlight requirements, water requirements, and mature size.
Fertilizer — Slow release organic fertilizer is recommended when planting and is available at Gardenwerks.
Soil — Mix soil from the hole with compost (two parts soil to one part compost is typical). Remove rocks and debris and use this mix to backfill. Lightly tamp to remove air pockets.
Water — See illustrations below.

Planting

Depth — Planting depth is critical. Plant only as deep as the existing soil level at the top of the root ball or potted plant. Do not change this dirt level on the plant; it should match grade. Note: If you have poor drainage or are adding a layer of compost or mulch around the base of the plant. Planting slight higher than existing grade by ½ to 1" is recommended.
Width — Dig a hole for your plant at least twice as wide as the root ball.
Handling
- Ball and burlap — Do not remove the wire cage. Make slices into the root ball in many places (between the wire). After the plant is placed into the hole and the level is correct, cut all ties from around the trunk and remove. Fold down any flaps that form the wire basket along the sides. Cut the burlap away from the top part of the root ball.
- Potted Plants — Lay pot on its side and gently squish the pot. Remove plant by holding onto the center stem(s) and lifting. Roughen up the edge of the exposed root ball with your hand. If the plant roots seem extremely dense and matted, score around the root ball with a knife to cut into the matting.
Placement — Position the plant in the center of the hole (and set to correct height) CHECK DEPTH (above) and set the plant. For plants in ball and burlap, cut the ties from around the trunk at this time.
Backfill — Backfill with soil/compost mixture to a depth of about 1/3. Lightly tamp and mix in fertilizer. Continue to backfill lightly tamping along the way to remove air pockets.
Staking — Larger trees should be staked. Most often the root ball is small and will roll in the hole until roots establish. Use two stakes placing one on either side of the plant parallel to the typical wind pattern, usually west to east. Tie off the tree using tree tape or arbor tie. DO NOT use wire or rope.
Water — Thoroughly soak planting hole immediately after planting. Slow soaking is best. If the plants are not on a drip system, place a hose near the root ball and slowly soak. For trees, soak for ½ hour to an hour. Shrubs 15 to 20 minutes. Soaking time can vary depending on drainage and soil types. Clay soils hold more moisture and hold it for a longer period of time. The goal is to soak the ground deep including soil next to the root ball. ESTABLISH a regular watering schedule especially the first year or two to allow root systems to establish.
Mulch or Compost — A layer of mulch or compost around the base of the plant (as wide as the drip line of the plant) is a healthy benefit for establishing new plants. Mulch holds moisture and compost will continue to provide essential nutrients for the plant.

Tree Planting

Container-Grown Planting

Our guarantee is simple. If you install and maintain your plant correctly and it fails to survive through the first growing season, we will replace it. Guarantee not to exceed price paid. Labor for replanting is extra. Sorry, we can not guarantee plants that are planted in above ground containers, or planted with visqueen plastic covering the roots.

				3225 Cooney Drive - 406.442.5008 info@gardenwerks.com





Planting Guide
Thanks again for choosing your plant material from GARDENWERKS. To help you have a successful landscape experience, we suggest the following: If you are not planting immediately, water plants thoroughly and keep them out of wind and hot sun. If plants are in pots, water them daily. Ball and burlap plants should be mulched in and watered. Handle plants gently and always lift or carry plants by the pot or root ball. Location — Select the proper location for the plant. Consider its growth characteristics such as sunlight requirements, water requirements, and mature size. Fertilizer — Slow release organic fertilizer is recommended when planting and is available at Gardenwerks. Soil — Mix soil from the hole with compost (two parts soil to one part compost is typical). Remove rocks and debris and use this mix to backfill. Lightly tamp to remove air pockets. Water — See illustrations below. Planting Depth — Planting depth is critical. Plant only as deep as the existing soil level at the top of the root ball or potted plant. Do not change this dirt level on the plant; it should match grade. Note: If you have poor drainage or are adding a layer of compost or mulch around the base of the plant. Planting slight higher than existing grade by ½ to 1" is recommended. Width — Dig a hole for your plant at least twice as wide as the root ball. Handling Ball and burlap — Do not remove the wire cage. Make slices into the root ball in many places (between the wire). After the plant is placed into the hole and the level is correct, cut all ties from around the trunk and remove. Fold down any flaps that form the wire basket along the sides. Cut the burlap away from the top part of the root ball. Potted Plants — Lay pot on its side and gently squish the pot. Remove plant by holding onto the center stem(s) and lifting. Roughen up the edge of the exposed root ball with your hand. If the plant roots seem extremely dense and matted, score around the root ball with a knife to cut into the matting. Placement — Position the plant in the center of the hole (and set to correct height) CHECK DEPTH (above) and set the plant. For plants in ball and burlap, cut the ties from around the trunk at this time. Backfill — Backfill with soil/compost mixture to a depth of about 1/3. Lightly tamp and mix in fertilizer. Continue to backfill lightly tamping along the way to remove air pockets. Staking — Larger trees should be staked. Most often the root ball is small and will roll in the hole until roots establish. Use two stakes placing one on either side of the plant parallel to the typical wind pattern, usually west to east. Tie off the tree using tree tape or arbor tie. DO NOT use wire or rope. Water — Thoroughly soak planting hole immediately after planting. Slow soaking is best. If the plants are not on a drip system, place a hose near the root ball and slowly soak. For trees, soak for ½ hour to an hour. Shrubs 15 to 20 minutes. Soaking time can vary depending on drainage and soil types. Clay soils hold more moisture and hold it for a longer period of time. The goal is to soak the ground deep including soil next to the root ball. ESTABLISH a regular watering schedule especially the first year or two to allow root systems to establish. Mulch or Compost — A layer of mulch or compost around the base of the plant (as wide as the drip line of the plant) is a healthy benefit for establishing new plants. Mulch holds moisture and compost will continue to provide essential nutrients for the plant. Tree Planting Container-Grown Planting Our guarantee is simple. If you install and maintain your plant correctly and it fails to survive through the first growing season, we will replace it. Guarantee not to exceed price paid. Labor for replanting is extra. Sorry, we can not guarantee plants that are planted in above ground containers, or planted with visqueen plastic covering the roots.