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Good size plant hole and soil conditioning for successful tree planting

23/03/2021 - 00:00

Planting a tree requires preparation to ensure the tree you planted will last and not die within the first year of planting.

Now, we all know there’s more to planting a tree than digging a hole in the ground, placing the tree in the hole and the job is done.

Don't we all wish that was the case though? However, with some simple preparation anyone can grow beautiful trees that thrive and last. Above all, remember that the size and depth of the plant hole is relevant to successful tree growth. Be sure to spend time to prepare the plant hole to ensure best tree establishment. You can easily compare it with setting the base of a house. If you just start randomly the construction could collapse like a house of cards. The same applies to a tree. A common mistake? A tree planted too deep or too narrow. Too deep, the roots get too little oxygen and the tree suffocates. If it is too narrow, it has a negative impact on the root system’s chances of development.

Plants thrive better in larger plant holes.

A larger hole means a bigger volume of loosened and well-aerated soil. The ideal soil for healthy root growth. Place your tree as deep as the height of the container your tree was in. This way, the top of the root ball is parallel to ground level. On either side of the root, make the plant hole bigger until you reach the right diameter (at least 2-3 times the diameter of the root ball).

And optimise your soil.

Only a few soils are perfect. There are almost always limiting factors. A sandy soil is free draining, but on the other hand does not hold moisture and nutrients well. Clay soil has this property but does not drain properly. And so on. With a soil conditioner, you overcome these limitations.

The TerraCottem soil conditioner is a balanced granular mixture of more than 20 water-containing, nutrient-rich and stimulating components.

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