Planting Guide

For Well-Draining Soil: 

What You’ll Need:

  • Organic Mushroom Compost
  • Bio-Tone Root Starter

Successful Planting For Outdoor Shrubs and Trees:

  1. Dig hole 2x as wide and the same depth as the rootball.
  2. Place Bio-Tone Root Starter in the bottom of the hole.
  3. Remove plant from its pot and loosen its roots.
  4. Place plant in the hole directly on top of the Bio-Tone so the top of the root-ball is even with existing soil for well drained/sandy soil OR a few inches above soil level for clay soil.
  5. Fill around the rootball with your soil and organic compost firmly patting the soil around the rootball.
  6. Water thoroughly. Make a temporary ring of soil outside of the root-ball to create a “donut” to hold water. Fill “donut” 3x allowing water to soak in. New plantings need regular deep watering. See watering guide for specific recommendations.
  7. Mulch with a 3” layer of bark mulch or pine straw. Keep a few inches away from the trunk and spread 2-3 feet beneath the plant to hold in moisture and reduce weeds.

 

For Poor-Draining Soil (Clay Soil): 

What You’ll Need:

  • Organic Mushroom Compost
  • Bio-Tone Root Starter

Successful Planting For Outdoor Shrubs and Trees:

  1. Dig hole 2x as wide and half the depth of the rootball.
  2. Place Bio-Tone Root Starter in the bottom of the hole.
  3. Remove plant from its pot and loosen its roots.
  4. Place plant in the hole directly on top of the Bio-Tone so the top of the rootball is 1/3 above ground level.
  5. Fill around the rootball with your soil and organic compost firmly patting the soil around the rootball. Additional soil will be needed to cover the sides of the exposed rootball.
  6. Water thoroughly. Make a temporary ring of soil outside of the root-ball to create a “donut” to hold water. Fill “donut” 3x allowing water to soak in. New plantings need regular deep watering. See watering guide for specific recommendations.
  7. Mulch with a 3” layer of bark mulch or pine straw. Keep a few inches away from the trunk and spread 2-3 feet beneath the plant to hold in moisture and reduce weeds.
  8. Keep your plant well fed by using Espoma Plant-Tone or Holly-Tone as directed.