So, you're interested in evergreens, are you? It's a lovely tree that has a
multitude of uses. This beautiful tree can add strength and muscle to any yard
or plot of land. Of course, as with any eco-friendly forest-dwelling creation, a
person must have the know-how, and understand how to offer proper care for an
evergreen. Nutrients, timing, and a basic understanding of the evergreen will
take you far in your relationship with evergreen trees. Read on to discover how
gain that insightful green-thumb knowledge.
Your first step, when you are shopping around for the right evergreen, is to
pay careful attention to the root structure. You can always spend time marveling
over the top growth later. Remember, it's the unseen roots that form the
foundation for any tree, a key link in its life support system. Healthy root
structures lead to healthy, robust trees. It's that simple. So, if a grower
doesn't have photos and detailed information on the root structure, it might be
a good idea to keep shopping. The roots are vital to the health of all nursery
stock.
The soil is where the tree lives. So this will be another primary
consideration. If you take a drive through your neighborhood or the area you'll
be transplanting your evergreens, make note of the various types of trees. If
you see evergreens, then it's a safe bet, you're in a good location to farm
evergreens, or just watch them grow. A good source for determining what
evergreens look like is to check out a Tree Buyer's Guide. Your local
library or Internet is resourceful tools to help you along the way.
Spring time is an ideal time to plant evergreens. Wait for the last frost of
the season, when the weather is still cool. Rain, and lots of it, will benefit
your tree, especially in the initial stages of growth. If you hit a dry spell
where temperatures soar, the evergreen might suffer from "thermal shock." So be
wary of the weather.
To plant your tree, dig with a spade shovel, a minimum of 12 inches to create
a trench. Gently place the bottom of the roots into the soil with one hand while
holding the evergreen in the other. It may be a two-person endeavor. Next, pour
water, a quart or more, into the trench. Let the water drain down. Then push the
trench closed with soil.
Spring is not the only time to plant an evergreen. There are, however,
advantages and disadvantages to fall planting. Some people choose to plant in
the Fall so that the roots will be set come Spring. Open ground freezes can harm
young evergreens. If the weather shifts from warm to cold, this freeze/thaw
cycle can dislodge the root structure. From the other hand, transplants are less
prone to being dislodged if they've had time to set up in the soil.
Summer planting is not recommended. Many seedlings die due to "thermal shock"
and lack of sufficient water supply during dry summers.
Don't forget to feed your evergreen. However, evergreens are fairly
self-serving trees. They don't need much fertilizer, just lots of sunshine and
rain. Over fertilization is more likely to cause harm than benefit. So stay away
from fertilizer and let Mother Nature do her work.
If you follow these tips, you can feel rest-assured that you're on your way
to planting healthy evergreens that will flourish for many years to
come.
