How To

While it seems straight forward, many problems and plant mortality can occur from a tree or plant which was not properly planted or given proper care. We want to help ensure your new plants get a good start.

• Dig hole as deep and 4 inches wider than container size. 
• Remove pot by holding tree by truck and lightly tapping on the rim of the pot. If pot is difficult to remove, cut pot away from the roots.
• Gently place root ball in the hole so that its top is 0-¾” is at grade level. Planting too deep can cause problems.
• Poor soils may not be ideal for back-filling so use a topsoil or mix in no more than half finished compost or Soil Pep with existing soil.
• Fill the hole 90% with soil and settle this by watering. Fill hole to 0-¾” below grade with loose dirt and when planting in spring and summer, fertilize lightly with lawn fertilizer (16-24% nitrogen, not weed and feed type) at the rate of 1 teaspoon per inch of caliper. Do not fertilize in late summer or early fall.
• Do not cover top of root ball with soil as this prevents needed air to the top of the root system and can shingle water away. Landscape aggregate/gravel/rock, bark, or chips are ok so long as it is kept from against the trunk or stem and the top of the root system can receive water and breathe. 
• Do not let roots dry out or lay exposed to the air while planting.
• Generally, we recommend against any sort of bermed water trough around the plant. An exception may be for trees or shrubs which are not on a drip system and are hand watered. Remove the berm after the plant is established, usually the end of the first season if not before.

There is no general "rule of thumb" for watering newly planted material. Light sandy soils require more water than heavy clay soils. Hot windy days require more watering than cold cloudy days. Be sure to pay attention to the immediate weather conditions and water accordingly. If you have heavy soil and water stands in the planting hole for over thirty minutes following watering, you are applying too much water too frequently.

Most underground sprinkler systems do not apply enough water in one cycle to adequately water new or established plants. Supplemental watering may be necessary, so please pay attention to the response of your plants on hot, dry days. Rain showers usually do not supply adequate water either. Supplemental watering may be required unless the rain measures ¾” or more.

A suggested watering schedule for newly planted shrubs is 2-3 gallons of water poured directly over the root system every 2 days, and continuing for 60 days.  Newly planted trees should require 3-5 gallons of water, directly over the roots, every 2 days.  Water additionally whenever soil is dry and plants wilt.

We stand behind all plants and trees we sell.

All plants and trees are guaranteed to be in good condition when leaving the Switzer Landscaping nursery. We will replace, at 50% the value, any plant/tree material that does not survive the first growing season - provided the plant has been properly planted and tended.

• Notify us at the first sign of any problem.
• Your claim must be presented to us by October 31 of the year of purchase.