Dig a square hole when planting

When planting a tree, shrub, perennial, bulb or bedding plant, always dig a square hole. (Everyone calls me a square when I tell them that!) Also, dig a hole about two feet deep or as deep as it takes to break through any decomposed granite (dg) or hard pan soil.

These days, a plant is almost always grown in a round pot. So if you plant it in a round hole, what will happen? Of course, it will grow in the direction of the roots. It is like putting the plant in a bigger round container where it can eventually become root bound in the hole. I can honestly say that I have never lost a tree that I have grown in a square hole and I think the roots are much happier. If you think about it, take the plant out of the container and gently massage the root ball. The roots are looking for some place to grow. In a square hole with mulch mixed evenly around, the roots will head toward a corner. Once they do, they break up clay or hard soil quickly and will grow much faster and be very grateful for a long happy life in the ground!

Here at Mountain Gardens' Nursery & Pet we have availability lists and planting instructions available upon request.