Your newly purchased tree or bush does not require immediate transplant. The plant can remain in the container until you are ready to transplant. Place the plant where the plant can receive sufficient sunlight. Do water the plant regularly especially on the hot and dry days. A plant in a container above ground will require water more often than a plant in the ground. Also, periodically rotate the container to face the sun to encourage the new root growth to grow more evenly.

• Very Important First Step Before You Dig And Plant: Determine the exact location for your new plant where sufficient sunlight is available. Place the plant or stick a flag or pole in this spot to mark the spot. Be patient. During the day or even days ahead, notice this location from different angles (house window, driveway, porch, yard, etc.) and adjust the location as needed.
• Dig a hole a few inches wider and deeper than the container size. The hole width can be up to a foot wider (6 inches each side) than the container for optimum planting, although not necessary. The top of the plant ball must be planted level with the ground.
• While the plant is still in the container, place the plant and container into the hole to make sure the width and depth is exactly right. Adjust the hole width and depth as needed. Then, remove the plant from the container by placing the bottom of the container on your left knee and pulling down on the sides of the container until you feel the plant ball is loose enough to be carefully removed.
• Carefully remove the plant from the container by pulling the plant straight up or laying the container on it's side and wiggling the plant out of the container. Good idea to lightly rough up the outside and bottom of the ball to loosen some compacted roots. You might also want to remove some roots that are tangled or reaching upward and maybe even spread out some of the roots.
• Place the plant into the center of the hole making sure the top of the plant ball is level to the ground, adjust the depth as necessary. Plant should be firmly placed into the hole.
• Back fill the space around the plant with the same or nutrient treated soil, but not fertilizer. Apply medium pressure to the loose soil so the soil will hold the plant firmly into and upright position.
• Water the plant generously and allow the water to drain or settle, apply more soil around the plant if needed.
• Lightly water the plant daily or every other day or so depending on the weather conditions. To avoid root rot, do not over water the plant continuously. Allow the water to soak into the ground where the roots can somewhat dry out at times before adding more water.
• After one year in the ground, the plant can be lightly fertilized as desired. Never over fertilize any plant. Miracle grow mixed with water is a good choice for a deciduous tree or bush fertilizer. Evergreen-Tone and Holly-Tone is a good choice for evergreen tree fertilizer.
• If you experience deer damage in your area, you should install a wire fence around the plant. At least one foot space surrounding the plant and two feet higher than the plant. A four foot or three foot wire fence and two or three light-duty metal fence u-post should be sufficient for a few years or more, if needed. Wire fence and u-post are available at most hardware type stores.
• For deciduous trees, using a plastic tube type tree guard for several years could be a tree saver. Plastic tree tubes or guards can be found on the internet or at some landscape supplies stores. And, we sell tree guards and trunk guards as well.

Fertilizing Plants

It is generally best to wait at least a few weeks after transplanting before fertilizing a plant to allow the plant to establish itself and recover from the shock of being moved. A common recommendation is to wait about 3-4 weeks after transplanting before fertilizing a plant.

Why wait? Transplanting can damage or disrupt the plant's roots, making it difficult for them to absorb nutrients immediately. Fertilizing too soon can cause stress and potentially harm the plant.

When to start fertilizing? It is ok to start fertilizing a plant after the plant has shown signs of establishing, such as new growth or healthy green leaves, then you can begin or consider fertilizing the plant.

What type of fertilizer to use? A starter fertilizer or a balanced fertilizer with a balanced mix of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK). NPK ratio (e.g., 10-10-10) is a good choice for newly transplanted plants.

How to fertilize: You can apply liquid fertilizer (Miracle-Gro Liquid Plant Food) by mixing the fertilizer with water and applying it to the soil around the plant or by using a slow-release fertilizer granules like Osmocote.

Fertilizing Trees

Newly planted trees typically do not need any fertilizer during the first few years, as their roots are still recovering. Thereafter, some fertilizer can be beneficial, but is not necessary.

How to fertilize: You can apply liquid fertilizer (Miracle-Gro Liquid Tree Food) by mixing the fertilizer with water and applying it to the soil around the tree or by using slow-release fertilizer granules like Osmocote.

Fertilizers

Miracle-Gro Liquid Plant Food is a concentrated liquid fertilizer that is mixed with water and applied to trees and plants. It is designed to provide essential nutrients quickly and is used on a wide range of trees and plants, both indoor and outdoor, to promote healthy growth, vibrant blooms, and abundant harvests. The liquid form allows trees and plants to absorb nutrients rapidly, both through their roots and leaves. Miracle-Gro Liquid is a concentrate, meaning it needs to be diluted with water before application. Miracle-Gro delivers a balanced blend of nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (NPK), along with trace elements, to support tree and plant health and growth.

Osmocote is a brand of controlled-release fertilizer that is widely used in horticulture. It works by coating fertilizer granules with a resin that gradually releases nutrients over time, providing trees and plants with a consistent supply of essential elements.

Holly Tone is an organic fertilizer specifically formulated to nourish acid-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, evergreens, and hydrangeas. It's known for its 4-3-4 nutrient ratio, slow release, and ability to help maintain the soil's acidity, and plants thrive.

Another good choice to fertilize evergreen trees and shrubs is Evergreen Tone Organic Tree and Shrub Plant Food (4-3-4).

The best time to water potted trees and plants is early morning? This allows the tree or plant to absorb the water before the heat of the day and helps prevent fungal diseases by ensuring the leaves dry before nightfall. Watering in the morning also better prepares the tree or plant for the day's activities, such as photosynthesis.

Try not to over water any tree or plant. Water is good, but too much water can encourage root rot. Tree and plant roots must have some dry time in between watering.

The PH level, in Chester County in our area, averages about 6.5. Very good for most plants except the blueberry bushes where we add Espoma Organic Soil Acidifier to the soil to raise the PH level to about 5.0.