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Re-planting Potted Plants Into the Yard
By Chris Meagher
When you bring your new plants home from the nursery, garden center, or receive them by way of mail-order, it is really important to remove them from the packaging, or car boot, immediately. Damaged, bruised, or broken plant material ought to be clipped off. Select a protected, low light area of your yard and water completely. Water should seep out the drain holes within the pot and the plant should really feel "weightier" right after watering. Ideally, a day before planting, soak the pot in a bucket of water to allow the plants to fully hydrate, allow any air bubbles within the pot to dissipate, and the plants adjust to their new surroundings. Once you have decided the place best suited in your back garden for your new acquisition, dig a hole at least twice as big as the over all size of the pot. For larger potted plants, it might be much more effective to dig or turn an area of a garden bed. Not a bad idea to mix compost or potting mix, together with your native soil, to improve root development in your plant's new environment. Place a layer of the mixture in bottom of the hole and firm it lightly so the new specimen is not planted too deeply. Carefully remove the plant from the container. It may help to tap the container down lightly on it's top edge, on a bench, or squeeze its sides, in order to loosen it. Put the plant in the readied hole. Add or remove earth blend beneath the root mass to ensure that the top, where the root ball soil begins, is at the same level as the surrounding soil of the garden. Be mindful of any grafts, or branching near the root ball, and never have the soil near this! A distance of an inch is fine. Planting too deep is one of the main killers of new plant stock. Once you have determined the plant's original earth level is equal to that of the surrounding soil, you are then able to begin back filling the soil mix close to the root-ball. Work your soil blend in firmly with your fingers among the root mass and also the around the hole until you've reached the original ground level. Do not over-tamp the soil, just make it firm. When the hole is half to two thirds full, fill it with water - yes, FILL it. This will assist in eliminating any air bubbles trapped around the roots. The number two killer of newly planted stock is air bubbles around the roots. Waiting for the water to dissipate, back fill with the rest of the soil and lightly tamp, in order to leave a shallow depression around the outermost edge of the hole. This is for subsequent watering. Finish the planting by applying a good 2"- 4" inch covering of mulch, advancing the mulch a foot or more from the center of the planting. Good mulch choices could be shredded bark, pine needles, hay, and even stones. Mulch will protect the roots from the heat of the sun, assist in moisture retention, and suppress weed development. When you have finished, water thoroughly. You should see the water gathering in that shallow depression you have just made. Follow up with a minimum of weekly watering, until the plant appears to have taken - leaves looking healthy and shiny, if not new leaves. If leaves display indicators of wilting, but the earth is moist - do not panic. Some plants can take 10 days or more to start becoming established. Be patient. Replanting can be extremely traumatic and sometimes, newly planted stock will sit there and sulk for a bit. Hopefully this has helped take away some of the questions you may have had about Re-planting Potted Plants Into the Yard.
Mr Meagher has been a gardener and organic gardener for 45 years, permaculturist for 29 years. Further reading to be found at : Gardening Secret
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Thanks. As a "black-thumb" person, I need these reminders. Welcome back.
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you very much for that, I intend to be a little more active from now on.
Kind Regards Chris.
Spring is just around the corner, here in the north east, Chris. Your website and intel are timely advise to get going and start growing.
Thank you for sharing.
Best wishes.
Frederick
CONTRIBUTOR'S REPLY
Thank you, also. I appreciate it. Plenty more to come. Regards Chris.
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