Planting in the summer? Why not?

One of the most frequent questions asked at this time of the year is, "Is it OK to plant trees and shrubs in my landscape at this time of the year, or should I wait until fall or spring?"

My facetious answer is, "You can plant most trees and shrubs at any time of the year except when the ground is frozen." So now is a good time to plant.

When you plant trees and shrubs during the summer months, you simply do what you would do when planting in the spring or fall.

First, dig a hole no deeper than the pot the plant comes in. If it is a balled and burlap plant, aka B&B, dig the hole no deeper than the depth of the root ball.

The width of the hole should be two times the diameter of the root ball or container. While digging the planting hole, be sure to rough up the sides and bottom of the hole. This will help new plant roots grow out of the planting hole.

A deciduous flowering cherry tree at Sunny Hill Gardens & Florist in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

Next, mix peat moss with the excavated soil in the ratio of one-third peat to two-thirds soil. The peat will loosen up clay soils and provide moisture-holding capacity in sandy soils.

Now remove the plant from its container and rough up the roots so free roots are projecting from the root mass.

If the plant is B&B, then leave the burlap on the root ball, but be sure to loosen the burlap from around stem of the plant.

Place the root ball in the hole and backfill with the combination of peat and soil. Be sure to lightly pack the peat/soil combination around the root system so there is good root/soil contact.

Next mix a soluble fertilizer such as 9-58-8 with water. Then water in the newly planted tree or shrub to the point of runoff. You want to make sure every pore in the soil is filled with the fertilizer water.

A flowering plum deciduous tree at Sunny Hill Gardens & Florist in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

From here on out, be sure to check the soil around the plant daily. If it feels dry at a depth of 2 to 3 inches, give it a drink of water. If it is wet, put the hose away.

One of the mistakes many gardeners make is they think if a little water is good, a lot of water is really better. Most plants need plenty of water, but they also need the soil to dry out in between waterings.

You want to make the roots stretch to find water. If you water too much, the plant will never grow a good, deep root system.

If you have a few minutes some evening and just have the urge to plant something, don't hesitate.

Go to your local garden center. Purchase a plant and take it home.

Peat moss and fertilizer rest next to a flowering plum deciduous tree at Sunny Hill Gardens & Florist in Cape Girardeau. (Glenn Landberg)

You will enjoy the experience and will make your landscape that much more attractive.