1. Installing Landscape Plants
Mrs. Halkiades
CCCHS
Fall 2007

2. The Soil for Installation
Correct soil has these qualities
Loamy texture (equal parts of sand, peat and soil)
Good drainage
Suitable pH
Balanced nutrients

3. Root Forms Of Landscape Plants
Bedding plants and ground covers
Pressed peat pots
Plastic packets (inserts)
Trees and shrubs
Bare-rooted
Balled-and-Burlapped (b & b)
Containterized

4. Balled-and-burlapped
Root Form
Advantages
Disadvantages
Bare-rooted
Inexpensive
Lightweight
Easy to transport
Reduced root system
Early spring transplant
Small
Balled-and-burlapped
Larger plants
Less damage to root system
Spring and fall
Expensive
Heavy and bulky
Large=equipment
Containerized
Less expensive than b&b
Root system intact
Spring, summer, fall
Seldom large sizes
Root bound

5. Balled-and- Burlapped
Hole
Flat-bottomed
Straight sides
50% wider and deeper
than ball
Burlap
Loosened
Not removed
Completely buried
Plastic or wire
Completely removed

6. Containerized Hole Removing plants from container
Same as b&b
Removing plants from container
One hand on soil surface of container and tilt with other hand
Support root system as the plant slides out
If it does not slide out, cut container
NEVER pull the plant out of the container
NEVER punch to remove plant

7. Pot-Bound If a containerized plant is pot-bound:
Make vertical cuts at 2-inch intervals
New roots will develop

8. Bare-rooted Keep roots moist Hole Always stake!
Must have a mounded bottom
Allows plant’s roots to spread over it and encourage their natural orientation downward
50% wider and deeper than root system
Watch for air pockets
Always stake!

9. Staking a Tree Why stake?
Hold the plant straight until the roots become established in new location
Wires should be flagged with reflective tape or cloth to prevent tripping

10. Tree Wrap Wrap trees to prevent burning of bark
Reduces water loss
Start at bottom and work towards top
Keep wrap in place for 1 year or until it decomposes (whichever comes first)

11. Groundcovers / Bedding Plants
Prepare entire bed
As weed free as possible
Use tiller to loosen soil
Preemergence herbicide to reduce maintenance
Remove plastic containers

12. Groundcovers / Bedding Plants
Spacing depends upon species and the speed of coverage desired
Install groundcovers in a staggered pattern
Water plants before transplanting
Shallow root system
Water frequently and deeply

13. Bulbs Rich, well-drained soil Flower beds, borders, or as masses
Planted in ground with base oriented downward and the shoot upward
Depths depend on type

14. Tubers and Rhizomes Installed in mounds Horizontally
Roots directed downward

15. Mulching Benefits Water is retained in the soil
Less wilting
Weed growth is discouraged
Aesthetic appearance improved
Soil temp. fluctuation in minimized
Repeated freezing/thawing causes heaving
Exposes roots
Damages bark
Entry of pathogens or insects

16. Mulching Benefits 4. Soil temp. fluctuation i minimized
Repeated freezing/thawing causes heaving
Exposes roots
Damages bark
Entry of pathogens or insects

17. Types of Mulch Organic Inorganic Peat moss Wood chips Shredded bark
Pine needles
Inorganic
Marble chips
Crushed stone
Brick chips
Shredded tires

18. Make a Chart!!
What do you think are some advantages and disadvantages of each type of mulch??
You have 3 minutes!!
GO!!!

19. ORGANIC Advantages Disadvantages May reduce moisture loss
Contribute to soil nutrition
No mowing hazard
Disadvantages
May alter soil pH
Flammable
Reduce nitrogen content
Requires replacement
Supports weed growth

20. INORGANIC Advantages Disadvantages Seldom alters soil pH Nonflammable
Does not biodegrade
Disadvantages
Does not improve soil nutrition
Hazard if thrown by mower
Does not biodegrade

21. More Mulch Apply 3-4 inches deep Plastic or Cloth Reduce sunlight
Discourages weed growth
Plastic or Cloth
Can work on flat ground
Washes off of unlevel ground

22. Review Questions Are the following characteristics of:
Bare Rooted
Balled-and-Burlapped
Containerized
Lightweight and easily transported
Usually the most expensive
Plants may become pot-bound

23. Review Questions True/False
4. B&B plants are installed in a hole with a mounded bottom. 5. Correct soil for plant installation should be loamy. 6. It is okay to pull plants from a container, if it is stuck. 7. It is okay to cut the roots of a pot-bound plant at 2 inch intervals. 8. Organic mulches provide a mowing hazard. 9. Bare rooted plants should always be staked. 10. Mulch should be applied 3-4 inches deep.