Caring for your new plants is especially important the first year. Since your plants were placed in the ground in September, you will want to follow these steps to ensure their future:

  1. Water – Check your plants water needs a couple times a week. We recommend that you pull back the shredded bark mulch and stick your finger down in the soil. If it’s wet – put the mulch back and check again in a few days; if it’s dry – give the plant a nice slow drink of water, soaking the entire root system.  Continue monitoring your new plants for water into the late fall and early winter, watering as late as possible before the ground freezes.
  2. Fertilizer – After planting, we recommend using Earl May Plant Start every two to three weeks for the first month or so. Plant Start develops a strong root system while reducing the shock of transplanting. In the spring, we suggest watering once a month with our water soluble Nutri Gro fertilizer to get your plants off and growing for the new season.
  3. Mulch – It’s advisable to apply a nice two to three inch layer of shredded bark mulch to your new plants which will keep them cool in the summer and covered in the winter. Extend the mulch out just beyond the planting hole or spread of the branches but don’t put it right against the trunk of the plant, leave a small gap for air flow.