Planting Instructions for Fall in Clay-Based Soils

Digging the Hole

• Dig the hole as deep as the root ball.
• The top of the root ball should be level with the soil line.
• Make the hole 1.5 to 2 times as wide as the root ball.

Amending the Soil

• To prevent standing water, add 2 inches of Espoma Soil Perfector particles to the bottom of the planting hole.
• Mix the particles into the soil gently.
• Set the plant into the hole.

Filling the Hole

• Fill around the root ball with a mixture of:
• 4 scoops of soil
• 2 scoops of leaf mulch
• 1 scoop of Soil Perfector

Firm the mix to remove air pockets, but do not compact it excessively.

Use the "mucking it in" technique:

Fill the hole half full, then water, filling the hole.

After draining, fill the rest of the hole with soil mix, then water again.

Using Root & Grow Solution (from Bonide Company)

• Mix Root & Grow solution at a rate of 2 ounces per gallon of water.
• The solution contains a nutrient ratio of 4-10-3 N-P-K and a rooting hormone.
• Apply every 2 weeks for 4 applications to promote root growth.

Watering Technique

• Use the "4-quadrant / count to 5" watering process:
• Divide the root ball area into 4 quadrants.
• Water each quadrant for a count of 5, then repeat the cycle.

Hand water daily for the first 2 weeks, then every other day for the next 6 weeks.

Monitor rainfall and hand water if there is less than 1.5 to 2 inches of rain per week after 8 weeks.

Continue watering until the soil freezes, typically around December 15.

Best Time to Transplant

This is the best time of year to transplant plants because the soil is much warmer compared to the cold soil temperatures of spring.