Season provides chances to plant

Most people tend to think of spring as the optimal time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, but fall is actually the prime season in which these landscape features should be planted.

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"This is the best time to plant trees and shrubs," said Ashley Tuten, the garden center manager at Southern Landscaping and Lawncare Inc. in Evans. "Probably 70 percent of people don't know that."

Plants that are tender and need additional protection can be planted in the spring, but trees like oleander and bottle brush should be planted in the fall when there is less stress on the plant.

"This time of year the (soil) temperature is really warm, but the air temperature is warmer, so it's less stressful for the plants," Tuten said.

Trees and shrubs can be planted until Thanksgiving, she said.

"You don't want to be planting in a freeze, though," she said.

Tuten offers a few guidelines for planting trees and shrubs:

First, make sure the hole is twice as big as the container that the plant comes in.

Second, tease the root ball by gently loosening the roots of the tree. If the tree is planted before loosening the balled-up roots, the roots will continue to grow in the circular pattern created by the container and will not reach out into the soil to develop and anchor the plant.

Next, be sure that a combination of new and old soil is used and be sure to mix it thoroughly.

"You also want to be sure your planting area is elevated an inch above grade level, especially in clay soil," Tuten said. "And be sure to top the soil with a good mulch when you are done planting."

That advice is especially important since clay soil is abundant in Columbia County, she said.

Tuten recommends using a cyprus mulch, which helps retain moisture and detract insects.

Finally, don't forget to water newly planted trees or shrubs.

"Check it daily for two to three weeks," Tuten said. "It's very important that it gets adequate water for two to three weeks because if it's coming from a nursery. It's used to being watered every day."

Newly planted trees need to be carefully tended for at least the first year.

Tuten also recommends applying a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting or using tree spikes for larger trees.