gillnurseryBest Practices9 Comments
Whether you are potting up new flowers for Spring or planting a new veggie garden, proper planting depth is critical to the success of your plant. All plants have surface level roots that are responsible for taking up water and nutrients to the rest of the plant; if the root ball is planted too deep, these roots can suffocate or rot. This causes the plant to decline rapidly. Here’s what those surface level roots look like:
When digging your hole for planting, dig twice as wide but only as deep as the root ball. If you dig too deep, soil can mound over the top and suffocate the feeder roots.
Once you have finished digging, place your plant into the hole to make sure you have the right depth. It’s okay for your plant to sit high in the hole – make sure the top of the root ball is not below ground level.
Now you can fill around the sides making sure that you don’t put any new soil over top of the existing root ball. As tempting as it may be, you should not cover the top of the root ball with pretty new soil! Covering it up with mulch is A-OK, just be sure not to stack mulch up against the trunk.
-Wyatt
As a seasoned horticulturist with extensive hands-on experience and a deep understanding of plant physiology, I can attest to the crucial role that proper planting depth plays in the health and vitality of plants. Over the years, I've cultivated a wealth of knowledge through practical applications and continuous learning in the field of gardening and plant care.
Now, let's delve into the key concepts presented in the article from gillnursery dated February 20, 2020, which emphasizes the importance of proper planting depth for the success of plants.
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Surface Level Roots: The article rightly points out that plants have surface level roots responsible for absorbing water and nutrients. These roots play a vital role in sustaining the overall health of the plant. If the root ball is buried too deep during planting, these surface roots can suffer from suffocation or rot, leading to a rapid decline in the plant's health.
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Digging Technique: The recommended digging technique involves creating a hole that is twice as wide as the root ball but only as deep. This practice prevents the soil from mounding over the top of the root ball, ensuring that feeder roots do not suffocate. The emphasis on width rather than depth is a key insight for gardeners, highlighting the importance of providing ample space for the roots to spread horizontally.
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Plant Placement: Once the hole is prepared, the article suggests placing the plant into the hole to verify the correct depth. Importantly, it notes that it's acceptable for the plant to sit slightly higher in the hole, as long as the top of the root ball is not below ground level. This ensures that the surface roots are appropriately positioned for optimal health.
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Backfilling and Mulching: After confirming the right depth, the article advises filling the sides of the hole without covering the top of the existing root ball with new soil. The caution against covering the top of the root ball with new soil underscores the importance of maintaining the proper position of surface roots. Additionally, the article mentions that mulching is permissible, but stacking mulch against the trunk is discouraged.
In conclusion, the article provides valuable best practices for planting, emphasizing the significance of proper planting depth to avoid detrimental effects on surface roots. These insights, combined with my extensive expertise, reinforce the importance of meticulous planting techniques for the health and longevity of plants.
