Yes, I realize this is a bit off-topic, but apparently there is a need for instruction in this area.
I emailed a friend of mine, my motivational coach, Ruth M. Haines of Philadelphia, the other day. I wished her "Happy Arbor Day," and told her she should plant a tree with her kids. She hit me back with "Love you too. Gotta figure out how to plant a tree. Always wanted to do that."
I gave my organic gardening class instruction on this last week, as well. YES, WE HAVE VIDEO: BUT I MUST OBTAIN IT FROM THE CAMERA'S OWNER, SO YOU MUST BE SATISFIED WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S VIDEO, AGAIN, FOR THIS CLASS!
Here's my exact email to her:
"Plant a tree...hmmm... WELL, FIRST YOU NEED TO DIG A $25 HOLE FOR A 25 CENT PLANT, AS THE OLD ADAGE GOES! Make your hole about 3 times as big as the root ball on the tree. Throw a little of the dirt back in the hole, along with some compost or potting soil. Set the tree in the hole: the point where the plant already meets the dirt should be just about level with the outside area around the hole (common sense, sort of) UNLESS: you may want it just a hair deeper in the hole,esp if you're crazy enough to plant iin summer (me), so you have a little "bowl" of water around the plant.
If the point where the plant meets the dirt is above the hole, take some dirt out and check again. If below, add dirt, remembering always to amend the soil with compost or potting soil to make it richer so the tree will grow better. MAKE DANG SURE YOU WATER IT IN EVERY DAY FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS - NOT A SIP OF WATER, BUT A GOOD, LONG DRINK!
All that being said, you need to check out the correct planting time for your tree and your area, as well as pruning instructions for your selected plant (not too hard, promise.) You can join Arbor Day for 10 bucks and get 10 trees for your area, if the price hasn't gone up. Plus they give you a heckuva deal on any other trees you buy from them.
Also, don't forget to fertilize your tree - per arbor day or local nurseryman's instructions.
Good luck and DO IT! Philly will breathe better tomorrow!"
All that being said, there are little aprons you can put in with your tree to help hold in the water, while it's young. I've never found these to be necessary, except for fools that absolutely must have their new landscaping done in the dead heat of the summer, in the south. I wouldn't waste my money on one, unless, of course, you're one of those fools who wants to plant that tree at the WRONG time.
You can join Arbor Day anytime of the year, but they only ship out certain trees at certain times, because, of course, they want them to survive.
As I said, there's apparently a need for this instruction, or I wouldn't be posting it. I will do my best to get answers to your questions posted this week and catch up with the gardening.
In the meantime, try to find yourself an organically grown fruit tree THAT WILL GROW WELL IN YOUR AREA, and plant it! We are quickly nearing the end of the season (in the South) for doing this! As usual, checking with your local county extension agent is the very best way to find out what grows well in your area. Don't forget to ask if there are any special instructions for your tree, such as: some fruit trees need at least 2 trees, maybe even more, to pollinate and produce (blueberry bush.) Some will produce just fine with one tree (pear.)
Here's a decent video on planting fruit trees (I forgot to tell Ruth to mulch and stake her tree!) I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS MAN ABOUT STOMPING DOWN THE DIRT AROUND THE TREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT TO WATER MY PLANTS IN, THEN ADD DIRT IF NECESSARY, TO GET THE LEVEL CORRECT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS WITH ROSES, WHERE YOU SHOULD STRONGLY TAMP DOWN THE DIRT. The square hole is a new idea to me - do what you like. DO prune the buds off the first year to get a great yield every year thereafter.
I emailed a friend of mine, my motivational coach, Ruth M. Haines of Philadelphia, the other day. I wished her "Happy Arbor Day," and told her she should plant a tree with her kids. She hit me back with "Love you too. Gotta figure out how to plant a tree. Always wanted to do that."
I gave my organic gardening class instruction on this last week, as well. YES, WE HAVE VIDEO: BUT I MUST OBTAIN IT FROM THE CAMERA'S OWNER, SO YOU MUST BE SATISFIED WITH SOMEONE ELSE'S VIDEO, AGAIN, FOR THIS CLASS!
Here's my exact email to her:
"Plant a tree...hmmm... WELL, FIRST YOU NEED TO DIG A $25 HOLE FOR A 25 CENT PLANT, AS THE OLD ADAGE GOES! Make your hole about 3 times as big as the root ball on the tree. Throw a little of the dirt back in the hole, along with some compost or potting soil. Set the tree in the hole: the point where the plant already meets the dirt should be just about level with the outside area around the hole (common sense, sort of) UNLESS: you may want it just a hair deeper in the hole,esp if you're crazy enough to plant iin summer (me), so you have a little "bowl" of water around the plant.
If the point where the plant meets the dirt is above the hole, take some dirt out and check again. If below, add dirt, remembering always to amend the soil with compost or potting soil to make it richer so the tree will grow better. MAKE DANG SURE YOU WATER IT IN EVERY DAY FOR AT LEAST 2 WEEKS - NOT A SIP OF WATER, BUT A GOOD, LONG DRINK!
All that being said, you need to check out the correct planting time for your tree and your area, as well as pruning instructions for your selected plant (not too hard, promise.) You can join Arbor Day for 10 bucks and get 10 trees for your area, if the price hasn't gone up. Plus they give you a heckuva deal on any other trees you buy from them.
Also, don't forget to fertilize your tree - per arbor day or local nurseryman's instructions.
Good luck and DO IT! Philly will breathe better tomorrow!"
All that being said, there are little aprons you can put in with your tree to help hold in the water, while it's young. I've never found these to be necessary, except for fools that absolutely must have their new landscaping done in the dead heat of the summer, in the south. I wouldn't waste my money on one, unless, of course, you're one of those fools who wants to plant that tree at the WRONG time.
You can join Arbor Day anytime of the year, but they only ship out certain trees at certain times, because, of course, they want them to survive.
As I said, there's apparently a need for this instruction, or I wouldn't be posting it. I will do my best to get answers to your questions posted this week and catch up with the gardening.
In the meantime, try to find yourself an organically grown fruit tree THAT WILL GROW WELL IN YOUR AREA, and plant it! We are quickly nearing the end of the season (in the South) for doing this! As usual, checking with your local county extension agent is the very best way to find out what grows well in your area. Don't forget to ask if there are any special instructions for your tree, such as: some fruit trees need at least 2 trees, maybe even more, to pollinate and produce (blueberry bush.) Some will produce just fine with one tree (pear.)
Here's a decent video on planting fruit trees (I forgot to tell Ruth to mulch and stake her tree!) I DO NOT AGREE WITH THIS MAN ABOUT STOMPING DOWN THE DIRT AROUND THE TREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WAS ALWAYS TAUGHT TO WATER MY PLANTS IN, THEN ADD DIRT IF NECESSARY, TO GET THE LEVEL CORRECT. THE ONLY EXCEPTION TO THIS RULE IS WITH ROSES, WHERE YOU SHOULD STRONGLY TAMP DOWN THE DIRT. The square hole is a new idea to me - do what you like. DO prune the buds off the first year to get a great yield every year thereafter.
PRUNING:
VIP RULE: NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS: ALWAYS PRUNE DEAD, DISEASED, OR DAMAGED LIMBS - and GET RID OF THEM! IF THEY ARE DISEASED, DO NOT BURN THEM OR THROW THEM IN THE MULCH PILE! GET THEM AWAY FROM YOUR PLANTS, ASAP!
This guy REALLY knows his stuff: pay close attention to what he is telling you about your yard's "micro-climate": this will help you with EVERYTHING you plant!
VIP RULE: NO MATTER WHAT TIME OF YEAR IT IS: ALWAYS PRUNE DEAD, DISEASED, OR DAMAGED LIMBS - and GET RID OF THEM! IF THEY ARE DISEASED, DO NOT BURN THEM OR THROW THEM IN THE MULCH PILE! GET THEM AWAY FROM YOUR PLANTS, ASAP!
This guy REALLY knows his stuff: pay close attention to what he is telling you about your yard's "micro-climate": this will help you with EVERYTHING you plant!
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