What You Need to Plant

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS 5728 W. State Street, Boise, ID 83703 208/853-4000 www.farwestlandscape.net

IMPORTANT: Before digging call DIG LINE (1-800-342-1585) to identify the location of any underground utilities.

What you need to plant:  Soil Amendment - Organic Soil Building Compost  Root Stimulator  MYKE Tree & Shrub Transplant Mix – Purchase With Plant to Get a 5-Year Warranty

How to Plant: 1. Dig a hole at least 2 times as wide & only slightly shallower than the root ball. If a plant is large, its weight might cause it to settle too deep.

2. Place plant in hole. Move the plant by the root ball, not the stem or trunk, to avoid damaging plant. IT’S BEST TO PLANT HIGH rather than too low. The flare of a plant is where the stem and root system meet. Make sure the flare is above the surrounding soil level.

3. For Ball & Burlap Plants: Cut the twine, string, and/or wire from around the stem and remove. Remove the burlap to expose the top of the root ball only. You can leave the burlap on the rest of root ball. You can score the burlap on the bottom of the root ball.

4. For Potted Plants: Remove plant from pot. If plant does not remove easily, press on the sides of the pot until removal is easier. To avoid damage, DO NOT pull on the stem. Loosen the roots with your hands or score them if necessary.

5. Rub MYKE transplant mix directly on the root ball. Do not mix MYKE in with the soil. You want MYKE to directly contact the roots. Whatever doesn’t stick to the root ball, put in the hole as close to the root ball as possible. Follow recommendations on the package.

6. Mix equal parts soil amendment with equal parts soil from the hole you dug. Backfill the hole with this mixture. Gently compact the soil to prevent air pockets around roots. Some plants require special soil mixes. For example, Rhododendrons require acidic soil, and we recommend using our Acid Planting Mix. Yuccas and other xeric plants require very good drainage. For these, we recommend using less compost & mixing in Sand, Gravel, or Lava Fines with your soil.

7. Water the soil with Fertilome Root Stimulator. Mix 3.5 Tbsp of Root Stimulator per gallon of water. See Root Stimulator label for recommendations.

8. Build a tree well around base of plant. Add mulch 2” deep to help retain soil moisture. Keep mulch 6” away from trunk to reduce disease.

WARRANTY: Trees & shrubs planted by FarWest have a 1 yr warranty from date of purchase. Trees & shrubs planted by the customer have a 90 day warranty from date of purchase. Trees & shrubs purchased with appropriate amount of MYKES & on same receipt have a 5 yr warranty. Must have receipt for all warranties. One-time replacement at price paid for item. NEGLECT OR CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL (e.g., weather, failed irrigation, etc.) VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES. CONTRACTOR, CLEARANCE, and SALE ITEMS HAVE NO WARRANTY. 2/6/15 WATER YOUR NEW PLANT 5728 W. State Street, Boise, ID 83703 VERY IMPORTANT 208/853-4000 www.farwestlandscape.net

Water long & deep rather than short & frequent. Moisture should reach the bottom of the root ball for ideal plant growth. Consider how deep your plant’s roots go. Your lawn has shallow roots vs. a tree has deeper roots.

How much should I water my new plant? Let your hose trickle for an average of 30 minutes to 1 hour to get water to the bottom of the root ball. The length of soak time depends on the size of the root ball, soil type & weather. For example, soak large trees longer than perennials. Sandy soil drains more quickly than clay. If the soil is wet from previous precipitation or it is cool outside, you may not need to water as much. If it’s the middle of summer, you may need to water more.

If you are uncertain whether a plant needs to be watered, dig down 6-8 inches at the edge of the planting hole near root ball. If the soil at that depth feels dry, the plant needs water. Check the soil for several days. This will give you an idea of how often you’ll need to water.

How much water does a tree need after planting? Trees need about 1.5 to 3 gallons per inch of trunk diameter per day. Water needs depend on soil type & weather. E.g., a 3-inch tree planted in the summer would need 9 gallons per day. Newly planted trees require more water because of limited root system. Evergreens may need less frequent watering. Deep water all plants prior to and during winter.

How long does it take a tree to establish? About 3 months per inch of trunk diameter. On average, trees take 1-2 years to establish. Establishment means the tree’s roots have grown out into the native soil. Water-loving trees like River Birch & Willows have more extensive root systems and take longer to establish. Using MYKE Transplant Mix & Fertilome Root Stimulator when planting will accelerate the establishment process.

When is the best time to water? Early morning is best. Watering in the heat of the day can result in leaf scorch. Wet foliage in the evening can promote disease.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER:  Water thoroughly based on your soil type. Clay soil absorbs water very slowly and holds moisture much longer than sandy soil. Sandy soil doesn’t hold water, so you may need to water more often. Add compost when planting or as top dress to help clay soil absorb & drain more quickly or to help sandy soil retain more moisture.  Do not depend on sprinkler systems (e.g., those designed to water lawns) for adequately watering new trees and shrubs . Supplement with additional water.  Weather plays a large role in determining when to water. Rainy, cloudy, cooler weather may mean watering less often. Sunny, windy, and warmer weather may require more frequent watering.  Water new plants through the fall and, when the temperature is mild, through January and February. Watering in the winter make the difference in the health of your plant.  Take care not to over water. An over watered plant often looks like an under watered plant. If you see your plant wilting or yellowing and are constantly watering, cut back the watering. (Dig down 6” or so and check soil moisture.) Saturated soil cannot hold air & will suffocate and/or rot roots.  Different plants have different watering needs. Some species require very little additional moisture once established, whereas others will require consistent watering.  Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are the best way to water your plants.  Plants that do not receive enough moisture become drought stressed. Drought stressed plants are much more prone to insects, disease, and decreased winter hardiness.  If you have questions, please call us at 208-853-4000 (have your invoice # handy), or come in with pictures and/or samples of your plant. Our expert staff can assist you! WARRANTY: Trees & shrubs planted by FarWest have a 1 yr warranty from date of purchase. Trees & shrubs planted by the customer have a 90 day warranty from date of purchase. Trees & shrubs purchased with appropriate amount of MYKES & on same receipt have a 5 yr warranty. Must have receipt for all warranties. One-time replacement at price paid for item. NEGLECT OR CONDITIONS BEYOND OUR CONTROL (e.g., weather, failed irrigation, etc.) VOIDS ALL WARRANTIES. CONTRACTOR, CLEARANCE, and SALE ITEMS HAVE NO WARRANTY. 2/6/15