PLANTING SEASON

Evening Post, Volume CXVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1934, Page 18

PLANTING SEASON

ROSES,; SHRUBS, AND TREES

The time for planting shrubs, hedge plants, fruit trees,'roses, and ornamental trees has arrived. Before planting be sure that the, ground is properly prepared, as otice planted all the above subjects are likely to remain in ,the same place for years and future working of the soil is necessarily restricted. The subsoil should be broken up and proper provision made for drainage, especially where the subsoil is heavy clay. ■'■■' To. dig holes in such soil and plant shrubs or trees in them' without providing some exit for • superfluous water is equivalent to planting in a bath. •No good results can be. expected under such' conditions. It is always good- policy to got orders in to the nurseries in good time, as there is less likelihood of. confusion than when orders,are rushed in in.the middle of the season. .•■•'.'. . METHOD OP PLANTING. The method of planting is, of course, most important as, once planted, the average tree or shrub is expected to remain and Nourish in the one spot for its lifetime, as already stated. . It is almost impossible to lift a shrub' or tree of any size, without doing some slight damage to the roots. Any such torn or broken roots should be cut away cleanly with a sharp tool, whether knife or secateurs, so as to give tho wound a chance to heal. The holes to accommodate the.roots should be large enough to allow of them being spread out evenly all round. It is better by far to shorten the roots if they are;too long rather than to tuck them in to an inadequate space. The roots should have a slightly downward slope from , the trunk. As to the depth to. plant, this may usually be judged by the mark on the trunk showing the depth it was in in the nursery. Before, covering the roots it is advisable to drive in a stout stake close up" to the trunk; and to put in a strong tie. There is then no danger of driving the stake through any of. the roots and the tree will be well held until the roots begin to function and get a; firm hold of the ground. This, of course, is not* necessary for small dwarf, subjects. • . • . ■ ■ USE OF DRY SOU.. Some good fine, fairly dry soil should be available to : cover the roots', and this should be well shaken in among them and made firm by tramping, after which the rest of the soil may be added and left fairly- loose on the surface. Some planters «dvise filling the hole with water after first; covering the roots and allowing the- water to drain, away before filling,, in the top soil. The advantage claimed for this method is that- the soil is then thoroughly washed in among the roots, a condition which cannot be obtained any other way however thoroughly'the work may be done. ■ ■ .- '.'