Containerized stock is material that has been grown in a plastic container for more than 12 months.
- Water plant thoroughly in container
- Choose a site that is suitable for the plant in question
- Dig the hole twice the width of the container, and 15 to 20cm deeper than container
- Fill hole with approximately 1/3 peat moss, mix into existing soil
- Remove container from plant
- Cut roots from top to bottom on all four sides of root ball to encourage strong root development
- Place plant in hole at same depth as in container
- Backfill with remainer of existing soil, add additional peat moss if required
- Pack soil, leaving soil around base of plant slightly higher than edges, allowing water to run to edges where it is needed most
- Water thoroughly, apply mulch around base of plant
Bare root stock is material that has been field grown, then harvested and sold in a bare root form with only a trace of remaining soil on root system.
- Do not let roots become dry, keep moist until planting
- Choose a site that is suitable for the plant in question
- Dig the hole twice the width of the root system and at same depth
- Fill hole with approximately 1/3 peat moss, mix into existing soil
- Place plant into hole at the same depth as in field, if plant is grafted, ensure graft is 5cm below soil, ensure roots are allowed to assume their normal position
- Backfill with remainder of existing soil, add additional peat moss if required
- Pack soil, leaving soil around base of plant slightly higher than edges, allowing water to run to edges where it is needed most
- Water thoroughly, apply mulch around base of plant
Spring potted stock is material that hs been field grown, then potted into a fibre pot in early spring.
- Water plant thoroughly in container
- Choose a site that is suitable for the plant in question
- Dig the hole twice the width of the container, and twice the depth of the container
- Fill the hole with approximately 1/3 peat moss, mix into existing soil
- With sharp knife, cut sides of fibre pot from top to bottom, remove upper rim of pot, remove bottom of pot
- Place plant into hole at the same depth as in fibre pot, if plant if grafted, ensure graft is 5cm below soil
- Backfill with remainder of existing soil, add additional peat moss if required
- Pack soil, leaving soil around base of plant slightly higher than edges, allowing water to run to edges where it is needed most
- Water thoroughly, apply mulch around base of plant
Balled and burlapped stock is material that has been field grown, then harvested with soil encompassing the rootball, wrapped in a burlap wrap. This is usually done by machine, sometimes still by hand. On large items a wire cage will surround the burlap wrapped rootball to keep roots and soil in place. String is used to secure the rootball.
- Ensure the rootball has adequate moisture
- Choose a site that is suitable for the plant in question
- Dig the hole twice the width of the root system and at same depth
- Fill hole with approximately 1/3 peat moss, mix into existing soil
- Place plant into hole at the same depth as in field, do not attempt to remove wire cage or burlap
- Remove string and burlap around top of rootball only
- Backfill with remainder of existing soil, add additional peat moss if required
- Pack soil, leaving soil around base of plant slightly higher than edges, allowing water to run to edges where it is needed most
- Water thoroughly, apply mulch around base of plant
Newly planted trees will benefit from being staked for the first year. Shrubs will not require staking.