General Planting Tips
Prunning Tips

  • Dig your hole at least twice the diameter, but no deeper than the height of the root ball.
  • Amend the excavated garden soil to not more than 25 percent organic matter and add a low nitrogen/high phosphate fertilizer. Mix thoroughly. Be sure your organic matter is well composted. Master Nurseryman's Planting Mix and Master Start Fertilizer are ideal products for this use.
  • Carefully remove the plant from the container and place the plant in the hole. Be sure that the top of the root ball is at or above the level of the soil in your garden. In poorly drained areas raise the plant an extra 1-2 inches to help keep the crown dry. Once the plant is set at the proper height, carefully loosen the roots.
  • With your plant in place, refill your hole with the amended soil mix; lightly tamp the soil as you fill.With the remaining soil, build a water dam around the perimeter of the hole; this will aid in keeping the plant properly watered.
  • Water well. If any settling occurs, refill the hole and water again.
  • Apply a 2-3 inch layer of mulch; this helps to keep the roots cool and lessens the water needs of the plant. Keep the mulch away from the crown or trunk of the plant.

    As with anything, there are exceptions. Here they are...

    Perennials

    The variation in planting perennials is not in the planting but in the preparation. Perennials are often planted in beds; we encourage you to amend the soil in the entire bed to a depth of 8-10 inches before planting. This will help you to successfully garden with perennials by allowing you to dig, divide, move, and maintain the plants more easily.

    Vines

    When planting vines,you have to be extremely careful about the way you remove the plant from the container. Do not grab the stake and pull. It is best to cut the container away from the root ball, then lift the plant into the hole.

    When planting Bougainvillea, be extremely cautious. Bougainvillea are extremely sensitive to infection which enters through damaged roots. Mishandleing a Bougainvillea will often kill the plant. Cut the container away from the plant and do not loosen the roots from the root ball when planting.

    Azaleas
    Camellias
    Rhododendrons

    These plants need well drained soils. Here in the Bay Area, we don't typically have well drained soils so we must dig an oversized hole, plant them on mounds, and amend the soil to 50 percent composted organic matter.
    Follow the     guidelines for planting Japanese Maples.

    California Natives
    South Africans
    Mediterranean

    You have seen them growing on the cliffs along the coast, in the ravines of the grassy valleys, in the shade of the giant redwoods; our native plants are as diverse as the people found in California. Though their climates vary drastically, one thing remains constant; our native plants do not like standing water and continuous moisture. In choosing natives for your garden, try to simulate the natural growing conditions of the plant. Most prefer little to no added soil amendments or fertilizer and very limited summer water. If you have our common clay type soils in your garden, planting on mounds or in raised beds will help you succeed in growing natives.

    Both South Africa and the Mediterranean have climates and soils that are very similar to ours. Plants from these areas should be treated as our natives.


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