Balled
& burlaped hydrangeas
To
maximize the chances of your balled & burlapped tree
or shrub surviving when you plant it in your garden, follow
these steps:
Step 1
Dig a hole slightly larger
than the root ball of the plant. Put this dirt to one side.
Step
2
Put the plant into the hole.
Cut the string or rope attached to the burlap and fold the
burlap back away from the base of the plant. If the plant
is in a wire basket (on very large plants), you should also
fold back the wire along the top. In no instance should
you try to remove the burlap or wire basket. They are there
to secure the root ball, and you do more damage trying to
remove it than simply leaving it. It is perfectly okay to
plant it with these attached. The plants roots will penetrate
the burlap and grow away from the wire.
Step
3
Depending on the composition
of the existing soil (usually clay), add equal parts topsoil,
sand, and an organic matter to the soil you took out of
the hole. Mix this up and fill in the gap between the root
ball and the hole with this mix. Any excess mix can be used
elsewhere. Pack this down with your hands.
Note: Never use your foot to tamp down the
ground around a newly planted tree or shrub, you will compact
the soil so much that the roots will have a hard time penetrating.
When first planted, the root ball of the plant should be
between 1-2" above the existing grade because it will
settle over time. If you plant it level with the grade at
first, it will settle to below grade, making it more likely
to rot from water puddling around it.
Step
4
Mulch lightly against the
trunk of the plant and water in.
