Our shipping season is coming up fast. So take a few moments to review best practices to ensure that the newest additions to your yard and garden thrive. It’s not always as simple as digging a hole, and putting in your new shrub -- but almost. First of all, when your plants arrive, give them some immediate attention. They have been packed in a box for a few days, in the dark and might be feeling a bit anxious. If you can't get them planted right away, at the very least WATER immediately. Your shrubs were given a good soaking prior to packing and shipping, but they are likely to be thirsty. Keep them in indirect light while they are waiting to go into the ground.

1. Remove the root ball from the container or bag.  Loosen the root ball to encourage growth. If you cannot do so manually, you can always gently score the sides for the root ball with your garden shears or knife. You won't kill the plant!
2. Dig a hole approximately one and a half times wider and only as deep as the root ball.  How deep? Approximately as deep as the root ball. Basically the pot you received your plant is will give you a good estimate of your hole depth.
3. If your soil is really tight, hard or full of clay it would help to cultivate the soil in a wider area than the hole you will need. This will make it easier for the new roots to spread faster.
   
4. Add some water to the bottom of the hole.
   
5. Center the plant in the hole, keeping the plant vertical. If the hole is a bit too deep, back fill with some soil until you attain the proper depth.
   
6. Fill the rest of the hole with soil and gently tamp down.
   
7. Water your plant thoroughly.  Refill soil if necessary, then water again.
8. Mulch around the base of the plant but leave some breathing room right around the main stems.
9. Fertilize. We recommend a granular slow-release fertilizer that you can easily sprinkle directly onto the soil around your newly planted shrub.

Don't Plant and Run

Keep an eye on your new garden guests for the first week. You all know that plants often go into some level of shock when they are transplanted. Some may show some wilt but spring back happily in a few days. Do not over water, but keep them evenly moist. Shrub Source plants are hardy and should not give you any serious concerns when transplanting. Just like friends, they like a little TLC.