FOR CONTAINER TREES AND SHRUBS
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To be a successful desert gardener, proper planting techniques, planning and materials are vital. Growing plants in the desert has challenges but with this planting guide, you’ll make ensure your new plants are off to a good start.
Before You Dig:
Choose the Right Plant for the Right Place: Ensure you’ve chosen a plant suitable for the location. Keep in mind the plant’s ultimate size; small plants can grow into large ones. If unsure, ask your Star Sales Associate.
Digging and Preparing the Hole:
Dig a Big Hole: Dig the hole at least two to three times as wide as the root ball. But only as deep as the root ball.
Set the Soil Aside: Reserve the displaced soil and remove rocks. Use burlap to hold the soil, making the job easier.
Check the Drainage: Fill the hole with water. If it drains within 45 minutes, proceed. If not, fill it in again. If it drains within 3 hours, proceed. Otherwise, dig a chimney tunnel at the base of the hole or breakthrough hardpan with a caliche bar or mattock.
Planting, Backfilling, Staking, Mulching & Watering:
Prepare the Backfill Mixture: Mix reserved native soil with Dr. Q’s Paydirt® Premium
Planting Mix & Mulch at a 2:1 ratio (4:1 for desert plants). Set aside some soil to build a raised ring for deep watering.
Starter Fertilizer: Use a starter fertilizer with good levels of phosphorous and potassium, like
Dr. Q’s Gold Dust®. Mix it with Paydirt according to the bag’s instructions for a healthy start.
Backfill the Hole: To correct a hole dug too deep, backfill the hole with soil until it reaches the desired depth. Afterward, compact the added soil firmly by tamping it down with your foot.
Set the Plant in Place: Pre-moisten the hole and position the root ball. Remove any transport stakes. Fill the hole with amended soil, tamping lightly and keeping the soil level with the root ball’s top. Don’t cover the root ball with soil. Water deeply and use a shovel to probe the backfill, ensuring no air pockets remain.
Build a Basin: Using leftover soil, build a basin around the plant, a foot and a half away from the trunk with six-inch-high sides. This basin is crucial for watering, mulching, and feeding the new plant. Fill the basin with water and Dr. Q’s® Plant Tonic mixture (refer to the instructions on the label for the recommended mixing ratio.)
Watch Watering: Lawn sprinklers’ shallow watering isn’t effective for trees and shrubs. Instead, focus on the basin you created around the plant. Fill it repeatedly until the water level remains constant, ensuring the root ball and surrounding soil are thoroughly soaked. During the first four months, manually fill the basin twice a week, increasing to three times in hot weather. Remember, sandy soils may require more frequent watering, while clay soils retain moisture. As your plant matures, consider installing a drip irrigation system with extended run times for a water-efficient solution.
Stake and Mulch: Newly planted trees, especially those in windy locations, may require support for the first year. This support can come in the form of two or three stakes. Avoiding direct contact with the trunks. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base of the tree, keeping it 1-2 inches away from the trunk to prevent root rot. Mulch prevents moisture buildup, reduces soil temperatures, weeds, and evaporation while releasing nutrients into the soil.
Maintain Your Landscape: Use Dr. Q’s Fertilizers and follow our Star Notes for healthy shrubs and trees.
Visit our website at StarNursery.com for more information and to find a location near you.
Use our Planting Partners:
- Paydirt Planting Mix & Mulch: Fully composted, 100% organic, Neutralizes alkaline soils.
- Gold Dust Starter Fertilizer (5-10-5): Organic-based, feeds for 60 days, improves soil conditions.
- Plant Tonic: Prevents transplant shock, helps plants recover from stress, and promotes healthy roots.
Follow the Star Note 900A How much should you water your shrubs and trees?
Tree Staking (Support and protect the tree in windy conditions)
Remove the nursery transport stake!
How to stake a tree: Use two lodge pole tree stakes and place one on either side of the root ball. Drive them into the ground so they are secure. Use non-abrasive “spring-loaded” tree ties to attach the tree to the stakes, alternating sides as you attach them, as shown in the above picture. Using this method and spring loaded ties will allow the tree trunk to move and grow strong yet have support when needed. In very windy areas, use 3 stakes. Place the 3rd on the side of the prevailing winds.