How to Plant Perennials
Cloudy over-cast days are the perfect time for gardening and just one of the secrets of how to plant perennials. Prepare each gardening bed with proper soil amendments such as well-rotted manure and compost. Design planting diagrams before diving in to plant. Assure enough space and ample shade or sun for each plant. Water the new planting area the day before you dig and plant freshly watered perennials.
Research what you are planting and learn climate, soil, lighting and fertilizing requirements. You will need all this information for selecting the right planting location and for caring and maintaining the plant.
Choose a day for planting when the weather is not too hot, windy or sunny. This not only makes your job of digging more difficult and tiring, but hot sunny days are stressful to plants being transplanted.
Expend the effort to dig the proper size hole. If you are unsure of the size, it is better to dig a wider hole than a smaller one. Roots on most perennials are delicate and can never be forced into a tiny little hole without causing damage.
Remove perennials carefully and gently from packaging containers. Remove one plant from the container at a time when you are ready to place it in the hole. Roots exposed to air, heat, sun and wind are easily damaged. Do not pull on stems to remove from containers or handle plants by the stem. Handle plants by the roots. Tap container sides or squeeze the sides of containers to jar and loosen plants. Turning a plant pot upside down often causes the plant to slide right out.
Check the condition of each plant's roots. If they are root bound and the roots are forming a circle in the bottom of the pot, use your finger gently to loosen the roots. Tightly bound roots may be cut two or three times using a sharp knife. If there are very little roots showing, remove some of the soil. Roots need to be able to adhere to the new planting medium.
Place perennial plants into your hole and plant only as deep as they were in the original container. Scoop loose soil over the roots and water. Add additional soil and pack lightly and firmly. Water again.
Refrain from fertilizing new transplants for about one week. This gives their root system adjustment time to the new hole.
- Let soil dry a little between watering, but new transplants should be kept moist for the first few months.