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Spring and Summer are the most common times to plant new trees and shrubs. A few new additions to your yard can be a welcome change. However, failure can turn those smiles upside down!

I have a few simple points to follow that will help. I always tell people that 99% of new plant death is due to poor watering. Generally, plants are healthy and in good condition when you plant them. If they were not, they'd look bad to begin with!

Here are some planting and watering tips and tricks which will help your trees and shrubs thrive:

• After planting and mulching, people forget that all new plants will take 1-2 years to develp a good root system. Normal watering with a sprinkler or drip system may not wet the root area well enough.
  
• It is critical to do a little spot watering by hand. I have pulled out many dry rooted plants in moist beds. During warm sunny weather be sure to spot water 2-3 times each week. If a plant looks wilted, water every day until it looks better.
• Fertilizer is good, but only to a point. Adding dry fertilizer at time of planting is fine for the summer. A liquid fertilizer which is watered on can be used to 3 times during the summer months, following planting. Any more than that can stress out the plant's roots.
• On average, a plant which came in a 5-gallon size pot will need 2 gallons of water, 2-3 times a week. A 6-foot tree needs 5-7 gallons per week.
  
• You really can't over-water in the summer. Watering by hand also gets you to inspect your plants and be sure they are not wilting...and it gets you outside to enjoy the beauty of your new tree and shrub investments.

Enjoy the summer,  Steve