The author of the text is Wiesław Szydło from the Polish Nurserymen Association
The place where you plan to plant the plants should be weeded. This applies, of course, to perennial weeds (e.g. couch grass, bindweed, thistle), which will be difficult to remove after planting.For this purpose, it is worth using Roundup, which is absorbed by the leaves of weeds and moves to the underground parts, causing their death.
After using this herbicide, the plants can be planted after a month.It is also worth introducing organic substrates that retain water and nutrients into weak soils. It can be, for example, high peat or compost. Also for very heavy soils (clay and clay), loosening components should be added, e.g. gravel or ground bark of conifers. We can also add them directly to the hole during planting, but the obtained effect will be weaker.
Before planting in poor soils, it is worth applying mineral fertilization. It is best to use multi-component fertilizers that need to be mixed with the substrate.It is not recommended to apply mineral fertilizers directly to the wells when planting plants, unless they are slow-release fertilizersManure can also be a very good addition, but it should be applied a few months before planting ( for example, we use it in autumn and then plant the plants in spring).
The planting pit should be about twice the diameter of the plant's root ball. On very heavy soils, we can put a layer of drainage, e.g. gravel at the bottom of the pit.Preparation of plants for planting depends on whether they are from the so-called bare root, baled or in containers.
Plants with bare roots should be protected from drying out and placed in water for a few hours before planting.Then cut the mechanically damaged roots (e.g. broken, torn) with a pruner, and trim the remaining roots to a length of about 20 centimeters.After planting, you also need to shorten the shoots to a height of about 10-15 centimeters.
The lack of such a cut is one of the basic mistakes made during planting, and its consequence will be poor plant growth. Plants with bare roots should be placed in the bottom so that their roots are not tucked upwardsTherefore, after partially filling the bottom, the plants are slightly pulled up, which makes the roots straighten.
Plants bought in containers should be carefully removed from the boxes by turning the container over and lightly tapping its edge against something hard (small containers) or cutting it (foil containers).In the case of larger plants, one person lifts the plant, the second one taps the edge of the container with something hard, which leads to the gradual sliding of the container.If the root ball is dry, soak it in water for a few minutes. Failure to follow this simple procedure can have a huge impact on plant acceptance and further growth.
Remember that most species grown in containers grow in peat, and this substrate is very difficult to rehydrate after drying. Therefore, the classic watering of plants after planting is sometimes insufficient.If the roots are strongly twisted at the edge of the lump, you can cut them with a pruner in several places or slightly loosen them with your fingers.
This treatment will facilitate their proper future development in the soil.When planting plants with a root ball, we do not remove the jute or the netting that is protected.These materials will decompose over time and will not decompose. they will interfere with the growth of the roots. After planting, the soil must be compacted.
Compaction of the soil causes it to stick to the roots and improves water infiltration. This treatment is aimed at stabilizing the plants. After planting, compact the soil (usually with feet). We always water the plants.In order for the water to reach the right place, a ground basin should be formed around the planted plants.The last treatment that is worth doing is mulching the area around the plants.
For this purpose, the bark of conifers is most often used, less often peat, sawdust or small stones. The thickness of the litter should not exceed 5 centimeters.It reduces the growth of weeds, reduces the drying out of the soil and increases the aesthetic value.