Seedlings are becoming increasingly popular with land managers. Aside from being extremely economical, seedlings are a great choice for those looking to plant numerous trees at once. They are a joy to nurture and watch grow. However, whether you’re planting one seedling or 500, there are some planting steps you should follow to give your seedlings the best chance for survival.
For starters, dig your holes several weeks or even months in advance. Not only does this cut down on “planting day” chores, but it also gives rain time to soak the freshly dug soil and settle it back into each hole. Be sure to dig the holes deep, even for small root ball seedlings to ensure that you get through any restrictive layers. Then go back and backfill every hole with the freshly dug soil.
When planting day arrives, you’ll see how quickly and easily you can put the trees in the ground because of the pre-planting work you’ve done. To plant seedlings simply use your hands or a small spade to fluff up and hollow out the pre-prepared hole. Place a single seedling in the hole and cover it with dirt being sure not to bury the trunk. Next, pack the soil firmly around the seedlings roots. Make sure to use your fingers to better ensure the soil is in direct contact with the root ball. All that’s left to do now is add water and watch your seedlings start to grow.
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