THOPRE DIRECTORY MAY 2021

Now that the weather has well and truly warmed
up and you’re spending more time in your
garden, you may feel the need to make a few
additions to it – perhaps something to bring a
little more architecture or structure, to clothe a
wall or fence, or something to bring perfume or
perhaps colour at an ‘off’ time of year. Whatever
it is, there is sure to be a good selection of
trees, shrubs and climbers available right now.
At any time of year good planting is important
if the plants are to get off to the best possible
start, and to grow away well for years to
come. But if you plant at this time of year it is
all the more essential to do it correctly, since
temperatures are increasing and the soil is
more inclined to be dry. So, what are the top
tips for tremendous planting?
Make sure the plant is properly suited to the
space you have available (check the label or in
a good book). Dig the planting hole, making it
bigger than the current root ball. On clay soils
dig out the hole using a fork, as this is less likely
to impede drainage, and make sure the hole is
large enough to incorporate some bulky organic
matter plus some grit. Fork over the sides of the
planting hole. Use garden compost, well-rotted
manure or proprietary planting mix to improve
the soil texture and add nutrients. If the soil
is really poor then you could also use some
general fertiliser.
Tease the roots out well before planting. If
necessary, soak the root ball in water for a
couple of hours first. This helps to loosen up a
congested root ball and makes it much easier for
the roots to move out into the planting hole and
surrounding soil.
Lower the plant into the hole and gradually add
the soil mixed with planting compost. Check
that only the roots are buried, not the stem, as
planting too deep can kill and will always make
the plant suffer and perform poorly. (The only
exception to this is clematis, which do better if
planted a few inches deeper than this.) Placing
a cane over the top of the planting hole makes
it easier to judge the correct height of the soil
level. Firm the soil around the roots. The surface
of the compost on the existing root ball needs to
be level with the soil surface.
Re-check the planting depth and water in well
– this is really important – and once the soil is
thoroughly moistened, apply a 7.5cm (3”) deep
mulch all over the root area. This will reduce
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