Corona's Principles of Planting How to Guide

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The quality of the planting site or hole determines the
success of the plant in the future, so don’t be tempted
to cut corners on this crucial step. Aim to make the
hole twice as wide as the container or root ball, which
allows plenty of room for you to work in. Though
opinions differ on amending the soil at planting time,
it is generally best to plant only into your native soil.
If you do wish to add compost, it must be thoroughly
incorporated into the hole and the backfi ll, so you
will need to make the hole larger to accomplish this.
After planting, the plant must be watered lavishly. The
best way to do this is to put a hose on a light trickle,
place it on the perimeter of the root ball, and leave it
to run an hour or two, moving its location to various
points around the site during this time. Whenever
possible, plant on cloudy days or early in the morning
to minimize the roots’ exposure to light, heat, and air.
Once planted, it’s your responsibility to foster vigorous
root growth. A plant will only put on as much top growth
as its root system can support, so to see an increase in
fl owers, fruit, or foliage, you have to fi rst increase the
root mass. Moisture is key: it makes it physically easier
for the roots to grow, and it ensures that the delicate
root tips won’t dry out and cease growing. The root
ball and its surrounding should not be allowed to dry
out completely during the entire fi rst season. A 2-3 in
(5-7.6 cm) thick layer of shredded bark mulch over the
entire root zone will keep the roots cool and conserve
moisture, making this critical period easier on both
you and the plant.
“There is an old saying, “Dig a ten dollar hole for a 10 cent plant.” In other
words, don’t cut corners when prepping for planting.”
– Ethne Clarke
PLANT ROOT SYSTEM