Tips for successful planting

This page is primarily concerned with selecting and handling conservation plant materials. It does not attempt to review other aspects of habitat restoration such as project planning, site prep, planting and post-plant maintenance. That would be better addressed by restorationists with locally or regionally relevant expertise. There are some general planting guidelines that should be followed.

Printable Brochure: Bareroot Planting Guide

Select the right planting site

Provide a planting area that is adequately weed-free, and maintain it that way.

Choose a planting site where there is suitable soil moisture.

Make the hole large enough for the roots

Dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the roots, allowing for the roots to hang downwards. Do not cram the roots into an undersized hole as that will cause a misshapen root mass such as J roots and L roots.

Leave no air pockets and water well

Use care in back filling the hole. Get the soil tamped down sufficiently so that no air pockets remain. Air pockets increase moisture stress for the seedling.

Thoroughly water plants after planting. This helps in settling the soil in the planting hole and providing good initial soil moisture.

Even drought tolerant species are susceptible to drought stress until established.

Supplemental watering may be needed, or at least beneficial, during prolonged dry periods.

Mulching around the planting site also helps retain soil moisture and can reduce weeds.

Control weeds

The importance of weed control has already been prominently mentioned, but warrants further consideration. Most weeds, in suitable conditions, are genetically programmed to out-compete and eliminate less worthy competitors (much like the home improvement store industry). The process begins by being more efficient at using precious soil moisture and nutrients to the point where it dominates the site and chokes out others.

Weeds can also provide habitat and cover for rodents, which might feed upon the struggling seedlings.

A restoration plan should include weed control that begins before planting, and continues until the site is restored to a point where weeds are choked out by established, desired plants.

Methods of weed control include mechanical cultivation, herbicides and mulching. Great care should be made to ensure that safe and effective control measures are employed.

Protect plant stems

Tree protectors should be used if a threat of damage exists from large herbivores such as deer, or small ones, such as mice and voles.

Additional measures of protection include fencing, repellents, rodenticides, maintaining weed control to reduce suitable habitat for rodents, and encouraging predators such as raptors and coyotes.