By Kris Wetherbee | March
2008
- Introduction
- Finding the right spot
- After the fact
- What to plant
- Conquer and divide
- Download
the FULL article as a
After the fact
Give your plants the advantage over summer’s
heat by applying a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch—such as
compost, shredded leaves, cocoa bean hulls or bark dust—immediately
after planting. This will help conserve soil moisture and keep down weeds,
which compete for water and nutrients whether your soil is loamy, sandy
or clay.
Water new plantings once or twice with a dilute solution of fish emulsion
or liquid seaweed to help them quickly settle into their new environment.
During the first week or so, you might need to water daily or every other day depending on the weather, soil type and plant’s growing requirements. After that, it’s important to keep the soil slightly moist until the plant becomes established in the garden. For most perennials and shrubs, that usually occurs after the first growing season.
The key is to water deeply and thoroughly to encourage
a deeper root system.
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