First, you want to select a location site to plant based upon the growing requirements of the plants. Once you have your location site, dig a hole three times the size of root ball and deep enough so that the top of the root ball is two to three inches above the soil level.
Now fill the hole with water and let drain; after the hole has drained repeat this test to see how well the soil drains. If your soil takes longer than 24 hours to drain, you will need to increase the drainage of the soil by mixing the backfill soil with coarse builder sand at one part sand to three parts native soil mixture (1:3 ratio).
Place the tree in the hole to measure the depth, making sure the root ball is two to three inches above ground level, and remove any plastic containers, twine, or burlap off the top of the root ball, and bend the metal basket below the soil level. You only need to amend the soil if you have poorly draining soil or have low nutrient-availability in your soil. You can mix 20% peat moss to help your tree retain water. Begin to backfill the hole, and once you have your hole half-filled with soil, fill the rest of your hole with water to remove air pockets. Finish backfilling your hole until the soil is level with the top of the root ball, and construct a water basin with the leftover soil around the tree to capture any rain or water.
Once planted, water the new plant in thoroughly, and place mulch or pine straw two to three inches thick around the base of the plant. You will need to water your new plant adequately over the next couple of months until established. An easy way to do this is use a five-gallon bucket and drill holes in the bottom, making a cost-effective drip system. The amount of water is two gallons per cubic foot of root ball, three times a week. If you purchased a five-gallon plant it needs to be watered with one gallon of water three times a week.
If planting your tree in the fall through winter, wrap the trunk with Kraft paper or lightly colored paper from the ground level to the first branch to prevent sunscald; or you can paint the trunk with white tree paint. If you are planting a large tree or container plant, you will need to stake the plant: drive a stake into the ground on the prevailing wind side and tie loosely around the trunk and bottom branches with rubber hose or fabric strap. Remove your staking after six months to prevent girdling. Fight the urge to fertilize as over-fertilizing will weaken the tree in summer and drought; you can use a very light, slow-release fertilizer like a granular 10-10-10 at a very low rate, but do not fertilize again for the rest of the first season.
Fertilizing
How often should I fertilize my plants?
Usually once a year is recommended on most fruit and nut trees.
When should I start fertilizing my new plants?
Every plant is different in accordance to fertilization. Fruit and Nut trees do not need to be fertilized until after the first year of planting.
Planting
Your plants are packaged to last for 30 days. Remove to plants from the packaging and store in a cool dark area until you are ready to plant with 30 days.
If you need to store the plants greater than 30 days, keep them stored in the cool dark area and simply add water to the plastic wrap around the roots every 30 days. The will last until you are ready to plant, they need to be planted while dormant.
Dig a hole twice the size of the root structure and deep enough to to cover the roots. If the tree is a grafted tree, the graft should be two to three inches above the soil level. Space the roots out evenly in the hole. Back fill the hole with the 1/2 good rich top soil and 1/2 the original soil that came from the hole. Tamp the soil down but be careful to not over pack the soil. Water the plant after it has been planted to eliminate any air pockets. Watering after planting should be every other day for the first few weeks and being tampering it off. If the plants are planted in the winter time while dormant the amount of water will be less, and water only once a week. Do not fertilize the plants for the first year as this will damage to root and set back the plant.
If planting palm trees back fill the hole with the following soil mixture; 1/3 river sand, 1/3 top soil, and 1/3 original soil that came our of the hole.
Planting Instructions for an Eco-Wise Plant
Make sure to keep your eco-wise plant hydrated until the time that you are planning to plant. If you cannot plant the trees within a couple of days it is recommended to heal the plants in moist soil, but do not put the plant in water.
Dig the hole two times the diameter of the root system, and as deep as the plant was at the nursery. The trunk should have a mark indicating where this was and if your tree is a grafted variety make sure to keep the graft two to three inches above the ground level. No soil amendments are necessary but if you choose to amend the soil only use the soil moist transplant mix with minor elements offered for sale. Backfill the hole and tamp the soil down to remove air pockets, and water well. If settling occurs add more soil. It is recommended to fertilize your plants with Nutri-Pak fertilizer packs. Each pack lasts for one year and is easy to use. Simply bury the pack 1ft away from the plant and six inches deep, do not open or pierce the bag and that is it. Do not granular fertilize or put fertilizers in the hole with the plant as this will severely stunt the tree’s development and possibly even kill it.
Create a basin around the tree with the leftover soil to capture rainwater. You will want to water adequately every day for the first ten days depending on rainfall; you will not have to water as often in the winter, as the tree is dormant and not actively growing. You will want to continue watering through the summer to get it off to the best start for long-term production.
Soil Requirements
Half top soil mixed with half potting soil is recommended on pretty much everything. Palm trees require half sand mixed with half top soil. Blueberries like half peat moss mixed with half topsoil. Make sure NO fertilizer is added in the first initial planting.
Spacing of Plants
What is the spacing for Blackberries?
Average spacing for blackberries are six feet apart in rows of 12 feet apart. Commercial blueberry plantings, you can plant 420 plants to the acre.
What is the spacing for Blueberries?
Average spacing for blueberries are six feet apart in rows of 12 feet apart. Commercial blueberry plantings, you can plant 420 plants to the acre.
What is the spacing for Crape Myrtles?
Average spacing for semi-dwarf crape myrtles are between 12-15 feet apart. Some landscapers however, like to plant them closer to resemble a one tree effect.
What is the spacing for Fig Trees?
Average spacing for fig trees vary from 8-15 feet apart.
What is the spacing for Fruit Trees?
Average spacing for semi-dwarf fruit trees is 15 feet. You may plant them further away, but the pollination process may be more difficult to occur and may inhibit fruit production.
What is the spacing for Grape Vines?
Average spacing for bunch grapes are 8-10 feet apart.
What is the spacing for Mulberries?
Average spacing for mulberries are 20 feet apart.
What is the spacing for Muscadines & Scuppernongs?
Average spacing for muscadines and scuppernongs are 8- 10 feet apart
What is the spacing for Olive Trees?
Average spacing for olive trees are 20 feet apart.
What is the spacing for Pecan Trees?
Spacing can depend on the purpose of your landscape. Commercial plantings can be spaced 35 feet apart with 44 trees to the acre. You can also space them 75 feet apart with 11 trees to the acre. Residential plantings usually are spaced at 40 feet apart.
What is the spacing for Raspberries?
Average spacing for raspberries are two to three feet apart in rows of six feet apart.
Watering
Fruit trees, it is recommended to water once to twice a week. Nut, Shrubs, and Flowering trees also once to twice a week.
Planting Tips
Bamboo Plants
Berry Bushes
Flower Bulbs
Flowering Trees
Fruit Trees
Grape Vines
Nut Trees
Palm Trees
Shade Trees
Shrubs & Hedges
Wildlife Plants
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