Planting Guide For Native Plants

• With proper installation practices, establishment of native plants may be less than 2 years.

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• Once established native plants require less watering, pruning, and winter protection.

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• Weed control is the most important measure to take to ensure survival and growth of your seedlings or plant plugs!

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• The best way to control weeds or sod is to “scalp” the top two inches of soil and vegetation in an area two feet around the seedling/ plug.

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• Tilling or herbicides (used as directed) may also be used before planting.

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• During planting it is important to keep the bare root seedlings in a bucket of moist moss, paper, or burlap. Be careful not to soak them in water as extended soaking can cause the roots to rot. Remove one bare root seedling at a time so roots do not dry out. A pre-root dip, such as Terra-Sorb, may help roots retain moisture.

Planting Steps:

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• Insert a planting bar or shovel and work back and forth to create a hole big enough to accommodate seedling/plug roots.

• Place seedling in the hole at about the same depth it stood in the nursery (look for visible soil mark).

• Cut the roots to about eight inches if needed, but do not break them off.

• Make sure roots are in a natural, uncurled position (i.e. the hole is deep enough) or the plant plug is not sticking above the hole.

• Firm the soil around the seedling/plug to prevent the roots from drying out.

• Use water to wash soil around the roots to eliminate air pockets.

• Add 2″ of mulch around the base of the seedling/plant.