NOW that the planting season is here, everyone should be proceeding wisely. Those who know what they are doing follow a steady schedule. Reminders may resemble preaching to the choir, but there are many novices about who may be unsure about procedures. For them, here are a few reminders.
Most important: any garden is as good as the soil it is planted in. Property with ideal soil is almost nonexistent today. Yet with yearly improvement, an almost ideal planting medium can be achieved. When any plants are set out, be it annual, perennial, tree or shrub, the soil has to be encouraging to make roots grow, that is to be friable and easy to push through. Most of the thick roots that plants have when purchased are either added to or replaced. The ground must be suitable to make this happen.
The most obvious part of this effort is to make the planting hole adequate to accommodate the root systems. In no way should a plant be squeezed into a hole. Too big is much better than too small.
Be sure to work the soil in the bottom of the planting hole with the trowel. This is also the time to add any soil improvement measures such as compost, well-rotted leaves or even a good trowel of well-rotted animal manure. Work this into the ground well before setting in the plant.
Moisture is essential at this time, too. Many gardeners advocate soaking the bottom of the planting hole before setting in the plant. This assures the roots of getting moisture promptly. Fill in the hole with the soil and gently pack in the plant. Or water after the plant is set in the hole. Even though there has been adequate rainfall thus far in the Northeast, the new plantings will need moisture.Continue reading the main story
As for planting depth, there are two rules to follow. For woodies, there is usually a stain on the canes or trunk to show where the soil line was. This soil line must be maintained when the plant is set in its new home. Also, be careful about plants that have basal growth, with leaves or new growth forming from the base of the plant, rather than the stem. A common example is a strawberry plant. If the young strawberry plant is set too deeply, this would be equivalent to choking the plant and it would succumb in due time.
One common fault with new gardeners when setting out plants is to expose them to the great outdoors before the plants have had time to adjust. This need for adjustment is particularly important for seedlings that have been started at home or with young plants that have been raised in a greenhouse.
Seedlings should be adjusted gradually to life in the great open spaces. One easy way is to put them under the shelter of a shade tree for a night or two until they get used to the changes in temperature. Then for another day or two put them near the place where they are to grow so they will be accustomed to the exposure, especially the sun's rays. Plants that are bought as six-packs from nurseries usually are outside in display areas to begin with and are ready to be planted directly into the ground.
In gardens where there are bountiful clusters of bulb foliage, particularly daffodils, scillas, ipheion and others, it may be necessary to gather these clusters of foliage together and fasten them loosely with rubber bands or string if they are in the way of planting annuals. Sometimes they can be wrapped together with their own foliage and made to stand upright while the seedlings are put into the ground. Above all, these bulb leaves should not be cut. They are nourishing the bulbs beneath the soil and assuring good blooms for the next spring. These bulb leaves will yellow in time, can be pulled away and the bulbs' presence will remain a secret until next spring.
Although most any plant can be set out this spring, there are a few exceptions. Patience will be needed to plan their placement. Particularly important in this fall planting category are peonies. These voluptuous plants, which need space, must be planted in the early fall months to give the roots time to settle in. Lily bulbs as well as all other hardy bulbs are also fall musts.
One final word: Be cautious about the use of fertilizer at planting time. There is a tendency, especially with new gardeners, to make the mistake of adding a good handful of fertilizer to the planting hole just to give the plants a jolt or good beginning. Restrain yourself. Fertilizer is a good additive, but wait a bit until the plants become adjusted. They will take a few days to settle in and the most important task for any young plant is to establish itself quickly and then start growing.
Fertilizer will help to boost the plants, but use it a week or two after the plants have settled in. The granular can be cultivated in soil near the plants. One of the best boosters is watering with a fertilizer that dissolves quickly in water and goes directly to the roots.
When all the work is completed, then it is time to stand back and assess how well everything is growing. When the new plants flower, then joy from the effort begins.Continue reading the main story