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Planting 101

When we decided to take the plunge and get a new home, nobody had told us that to sell your home could be such a burden. We tried working with the local estate agents but were having bad results. We were finally convinced to contact an online estate agent recommended to us by a friend after having several disastrous attempts at a private house sale. A week after that, while we were going to our local bank in order to pay some fees regarding the sale process, we ran into this lovely garden centre and decided to take a look. I have always dreamed about having a fabulous yard like the ones you see in old castles and the plants we found inside were precious and intriguing. But I was hesitant since I didn't have any experience on landscaping, not even knew how to plant trees!

I decided to do something about it and went about gathering the most information that I could about the topic. I found out that, even thought the process is quite straight forward, there are several options to consider before you go on your shopping spree. First of all there are basically three different ways you can purchase your plants: potted plants, bare root plants or balled and burlapped (B&B for short) plants. Each of those is a perfectly valid option but each requires a special care. So, how do you go about planting your dear new backyard friends?

Potted Plants
Usually it is the smaller plants the ones that are sold potted but you can also find larger shrubs sold that way, regardless the procedure is the same:

1. Dig a hole about twice as wide and twice as deep as the original container.
2. Add some organic matter (so you need to buy some) and fill the hole with soil about halfway.
3. Put the plant into the hole and spread the roots (carefully!) out.
4. Fill in with soil around the plant and add water every so often (this will take care of air pockets and keep the roots moistened.)
5. Add some mulch and you are done!
Potted Plants
Usually it is the smaller plants the ones that are sold potted but you can also find larger shrubs sold that way, regardless the procedure is the same:

1. Soak the roots before planting (the bigger the plant, the longer the soak.)
2. Dig a hole and make it a bit wider than your calculations.
3. Place the plant into the hole and hold it upright while you add soil around the base.
4. Add the rest of the soil and press firmly (but not too tightly!)
5. Add plenty of water.
6. Add some mulch but don't let it touch the trunk!
7. Done!
Bare root plans
Quite simply it's a plant that comes without any soil attached to the roots (usually washed out) which makes it lighter and saves you from soil-borne diseases from its original location.

1. Dig a hole big enough for the ball.
2. Remove the strapping, strings and wire (although you may leave some burlap behind.)
3. Thoroughly soak the root ball with water.
4. Fill in the soil and add water as you go.
5. Finish with a layer of mulch similar than with bare root plants.
6. Done!