Planting

It is important to develop an understanding of the plant hardiness zones for your area. This ensures that you pick the best plants for your climate, know when to plant your garden and care for your plants in the proper way.

The best time for planting is an overcast day with rain in the forecast, to ensure that the plants will receive an adequate amount of water to set their roots. Do not plant if frost or drought is in the forecast, or in the heat of the afternoon during the summer months. Water plants in their pots the day before planting to ensure that the soil is moist but not saturated.

Climatize your plants before planting to prevent them from going through shock while dealing with new temperature and soil conditions. In spring, put plants outside during the day and return back inside at night.

Always dig your hole the same depth as that of the pot and twice the width so the soil surrounding the plant is loose enough for the roots to penetrate. If you haven’t worked new soil or compost into your garden this season, incorporating new soil into the hole, mixing it with the existing soil, will add essential nutrients. You will also want to loosen the root ball so that, when planted, the roots can spread out and set themselves quickly.

Even if fertilizer or compost has been added to the soil prior to planting, it is a good idea to use a transplanting fertilizer or root developer, such as Myke, when planting. In this way the plants can set their roots quickly and start to draw in the moisture and nutrients they need.

Spread mulch over the soil after planting to hinder the growth of weeds and prevent the soil from drying out too quickly. Mulch also keeps the soil cooler in summer and insulates the ground in winter. Organic mulches also add beneficial nutrients to the soil as they break down.