Instructions
Planting Instructions
Before planting, allow the plant’s root ball to become fully saturated with water – either by watering it slowly in small amounts or by submerging it in a container of water for a sufficient length of time. The soil in the planting hole must be of good quality, but never use pure compost on its own; always mix it ideally 50/50 with sieved soil from the excavation.
For container-grown plants, remove the pot before planting (do not laugh – it has happened to us more than once that someone planted the whole thing, pot included…). For field-grown, root-balled plants, leave everything in place: the jute and the wire mesh. Only cut the wire around the trunk. Unless specified otherwise, plant at the same level as the surrounding ground. Mulch is applied only above this level. With root-balled plants, it will be necessary to shorten the branches by one third to one half of their original length, unless it is clear that the grower has already done so.
Trees and other plants that are at risk of having their roots rocked loose by the wind must be tied to a firm support immediately and kept staked for 2–4 years, until they have established securely and the wind can no longer lever them out of the soil or distort the trunk. In such cases, remove the bamboo cane to which the trunk was originally attached. If the tree has a high crown and is being planted in an exposed, windy site, we recommend raising the support higher into the crown and fastening it carefully before tying the tree into a wind‑stabilising system (tripod staking).
WATER AND SOIL PERMEABILITY TEST - IMPORTANT!
Before planting, we recommend a simple test, as excess moisture is one of the most common threats to plants. Dig a 40 × 40 × 40 cm hole at the planting site, pour 10 litres of water into it, and observe how long it takes to absorb.
Results:
- Option A – If the water is absorbed within about an hour, everything is fine, and you can plant as usual. Dig a hole 2–3 times larger than the root ball and fill it with soil according to the plant's requirements.
- Option B – If absorption takes between 1 and 3 hours, the plant should be raised slightly. Dig a hole only half as deep as the height of the pot or root ball. Place the plant in the hole and build up soil around it, forming a gradual slope.
- Option C – If the water remains after 3 hours, your soil is impermeable. Most plants - especially evergreens and conifers - may struggle to survive. In this case, do not dig a deep hole; instead, create a shallow hole, setting the root ball no deeper than one-third of its height, then backfill it with soil similarly to Option B.
Always ensure that the soil around the root ball slopes away as gently as possible. Most plants root predominantly outwards in a horizontal direction, and if you create a “mound”, the roots will have nowhere to grow and the plant will not remain healthy.
If your problem is the opposite – meaning you have very loose, fast‑drying soil – we recommend mulching all newly planted specimens with bark for at least the first year, until they have properly established, even in cases where the plant label does not list mulching as necessary.
During the first year after planting, water with care: check the plant and water only when the soil around it is dry, rather than applying large amounts of water at regular intervals. Unless stated otherwise, water the plant during its first year so that the soil is moist rather than wet, and allow it to dry slightly before watering again. The roots must not sit in water continuously. Water in such a way that the soil becomes evenly moist from the stem or centre out to the full width of the root ball. NEVER water by “placing a running hose at the base for several minutes”, unless you are gardening on pure sand. For trees, a thorough watering once every few days (3–10, depending on the weather) followed by a drying period is recommended.
If a plant dies due to excessive moisture in the soil or, conversely, due to drought, no form of claim or replacement can be accepted. If you are unsure, consult a specialist or leave the planting to an experienced gardener.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
In the event of severe late spring frost, we recommend storing early-spring purchases until the weather becomes more favourable before planting.
