Fall is for planting and so is spring! Today I am throwing out a few thoughts on that subject.
Putting the right plant in a space is the most important part of the planting process. Researching light and water requirements as well as hardiness are all important considerations for success of a planting. Also, know the mature size of a plant! This will not only minimize maintenance (pruning) but will also help to avoid the need to rip the entire planting out years down the road, since some plants do not respond well or look good if heavily pruned. Be sure the plant is not invasive (see Blog-March 2011). Other considerations in the planning stage are plant color, texture, and overall form.
After plants are researched and chosen, prepare the planting area by removing all unwanted plants (broadleaved weeds, grass, and woody plants). I usually do this with glysophate and tillage but deep tillage and solar sterilization can work in many situations. Be thorough as removing weeds once the area is planted is much more difficult. Do not use non-biodegradable groundcovers (“landscape fabric”). This promotes a shallow root system which makes your planting more susceptible to drought, among other things. Newspaper or other degradable material if fine.
Amend the planting area with organic matter if the soil is very clayey or sandy. This improves water-holding capacity, nutrient supply, and soil structure.
In clayey soil, plant woody material with soil ball one inch above existing grade. For loamy or sandy soil, and for herbaceous material, plant even with existing grade.
Mulching the soil after planting will help reduce weeds, evaporation, and soil temperature fluctuations. Then….don’t forget to water! Water well at first to reduce air spaces in the soil. After that, keep the soil evenly moist (not wet) throughout the growing season.