A  guide  to  Correct  Planting

In our area the soil contains such high-density clay, we recommend following these planting and watering
instructions:
  • 1. Dig the hole the depth of the root zone, and 1.5-2X as wide.

  • 2. Carefully remove the plant from the plastic pot and gently place the plant in the hole. If planting ball and burlap material, cut and remove all twine. Then open the burlap and tuck the burlap into the bottom of the hole. It is not necessary to remove the burlap completely as it will decompose.

  • 3. Backfill the hole with a soil mixture of organic material such as: Cotton Boll compost or Nature’s Blend compost and soil from the hole in a 50/50 blend, ensuring the base of the plant does not get buried. Fill loosely around the root zone, straighten the plant, and then pack firmly in place. The root flare of a tree should be approximately 1-inch above grade. If the tree requires staking do so at this point.

  • 4. After you finish planting, use a hose on a trickle at the base of the plant to water it in. The trickle should be about the size of a pencil. Small shrubs (2-3 gallon pot size) should be watered approximately 20-30 minutes at a time. Larger shrubs or any sized tree should be watered about 1-2 hours at a time. 
    Check moisture in the soil, at a depth of 2-inches around the new plant frequently. If soil is dry at 2
    inches deep follow the above instructions. If we receive an inch or more of rain in a week postpone
    watering. If you don’t own a rain gauge check frequently that the soil is dry 2-inches deep before
    watering.

Limited  Nusery  Stock  Guarantee

  • Retail-Cash and Carry. Nursery stock except roses and perennials, will be guaranteed, one time only for a store credit of 1/2  the purchase price for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
  • Claims must be accompanied by the sales receipt and the plant (or images) in question. A cancelled check or bank statement cannot be accepted as proof of purchase.
  • Planted- Nursery stock except roses and perennials planted by FTN which fail to survive the first year, will be credited the full purchase price with a store credit. Labor charges will not be refunded or credited.
  • Limited guarantee does not include labor.
  • Roses- Guaranteed only to be true to name/bloom color.
  • NO CASH REFUNDS
  • NO GUARANTEE ON NURSERY STOCK USED INDOORS OR PLANTED IN CONTAINERS.
  • Delinquent, past due account, or withholding payments voids the guarantee, and purchaser automatically loses any and all rights or claims for replacement.
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It is our desire that you are successful with your purchase, Plants are living things and as such must have
certain needs met. If you begin to have problems give us a call. Do not wait until the guarantee is about to
expire or plant is dead.

BASIc  CARE

Preparing Soil:
Amending the soil is the key to plants that not only grow but thrive. We’ve all heard the adage “a $10 hole for
a $5 plant,” but the better you do at working the beds now, the better off you’ll be down the road.
For new beds- We recommend adding a layer of compost, approximately 1 to 3-inches deep, and working it in
to the existing soil. Cotton boll or Nature’s Blend are great composts for our area because they help improve
clay soils.

Watering:
Watering deeply and less often is the key to success. Deep watering promotes healthy root growth which
enables a plant to thrive even during periods of drought. Frequent shallow watering can cause weak and leggy
root growth that is more susceptible to water stress, insects and diseases. All newly planted trees and shrubs
require1-inch of water, approximately once a week from March-October. A slow soak is best for large trees
and shrubs—a soaker ring or hose at the base works well. A sprinkler works well for large beds. A rain gauge
placed in the bed is the best way to tell how long to let the sprinkler run. Be sure to water in the winter; once
a month when the temperature is above freezing.

Mulching:
In addition to creating a finished look to a landscape, proper mulching insulates roots, suppresses weeds and
retains moisture. There are many types of mulching materials- each have advantages in different situations,
but essentially all work the same. The key to mulching properly is the depth—2 inches is necessary to block
out the sunlight. Leave mulch 2-inches away from the base of small trees, shrubs and large perennials to avoid
possible decay issues. Avoid using plastic sheeting or weed mat.

Fertilizing:
No matter what the plant, a regular feeding schedule is the difference between a good plant and a great plant.
Proper fertilization builds the root system, increases fruit and flower production and promotes lush, vigorous
growth. Call or come into Family Tree Nursery for more information on fertilizing specific plants.