Planting and Care of Native Trees

Natives are a beautiful addition to any garden and benefit from good soil preparation and appropriate care. The key to growing healthy native trees and plants is in the time taken preparing the site followed by the care given to the native once planted. Rewards are great when gardeners spend a little time planning before planting out and appropriate follow up care will ensure that the trees or shrubs will require less long term maintenance and water. The garden will look great and the environment will benefit from well cared for plants.If adhered to these tips will ensure that plants will live to flower for many many years.

Preparing the Site

• Remove all grass and weeds
• Dig a hole that is deeper than the plant tub and twice as wide
• Fill the hole with water and let the water drain away
• If the site chosen has heavy soil add a good amount of sand and again fill with water
• Put wet scrunched up newspaper in the bottom of the hole
• Cover the wet newspaper with a thin layer of soil
• Place a handful of presoaked water crystals and a small amount of Osmocote for Natives in the soil at the bottom of the hole, cover with another thin layer of soil

Planting the Native Tree or shrub

• Place the plant in a bucket of water and remove when the bubbles have stopped, this means that the root ball is well watered
• Carefully remove the plant from the pot or plastic sleeve
• Carefully tease out the roots to ensure they grow into the fresh dug soil mixture
• Carefully place the plant into the hole with the soil level of the plant just slight lower than the surround soil, backfill the hole allowing a very shall dish to form in order to catch water.
• Mulch the plant well making sure that the mulch does not touch any part of the plant
• Water the plant with a weak solution of Seasol or Native Plant Food

Follow Up Care

• Water every two days for the first 2 weeks, then every 5 days or so for a further month.
• Use the above watering table as a guide only if soil is moist and damp then watering can be left to the next time
• In dry periods if soil is dry to the touch then watering may have to be carried out on a more regular basis
• To promote good growth tip prune plants druing the growing season
• To give the plant a good start fertilize the plant with a good quality fish emulsion
• Use Seasol to stimulate root growth – especially after an extended dry period
• Renew mulch every twelve months, thus will help to keep the root cool

Native trees and shrubs add beauty and charm to any garden and the planting of native trees or shrubs ensures a home to many native birds and animals. The reward of having natives in a garden are the birds then act as pest control wardens eliminating unwanted pests.