Summer plantings

[site]

We try to avoid planting in July and August because of excessive heat and dry weather, but sometimes it is unavoidable. To help insure success we have started using "Hydrogel" to help hold water and reduce stress. We have also used Microrhizae and "FertiLoam Root Stimulator" and haven't noticed much difference with these. Ideally we would avoid the really hot days, but it's difficult when trying to meet someone else's deadlines. Typically in cooler months we have a casualty rate of less then 5%, but summer plantings are higher- I'm guessing 15%. What else can I do to lower the casualty rate?

[dan deutekom]

I find summer plantings are not really a problem if some common sense is used.

The first is to plant only well rooted, established nursery stock. Look for material that has been potted for at least a season and well established. If it is B&B then it should have been dug in spring and held above ground in mulch until you need it.

You have to plant as soon as you receive nursery stock. You can't hold it on site for a few days like you can in spring.

You have to make sure that the delivery vehicle has adequate tarping and protection of the plant material during shipping.

You have to make sure that you have adequate water and after care. It is worth spending a little extra money on labour to do extra monitoring, watering and misting for 2 or 3 weeks after planting to make sure things get established. Don't be afraid to lend some sprinklers and hoses during this period.

Hydrogel and a wilt proofing spray can be helpful as well but nothing replaces good old care.


30 years ago planting in the heat of summer was definitely not a thing I would do, but now with modern growing techniques I don't even think twice about it.

However transplanting is another matter.

[Stonehenge]

Dan, you hit on some good points. Site, I don't know how well you know your growers/suppliers, but I'm finding that in certain times of the year, I can only get plants from specific growers, because they take adequate care in getting their plants ready for transplant. Especially the trees.

I used to buy from one grower that we seemed to get a more loose rootball on, and they often didn't survive a summer planting, where other supplier's trees did really well.

Are you talking about commercial work? For residentials, I will drive by after a few days, if I'm near the area, just to check, and leave a message on their home phone to not forget about watering, if they aren't doing enough.

[dan deutekom]

Whether it is residential or commercial work I will go the extra mile to make sure the plant material is well watered. Some people are helpful and some just don't give a dam#. But I feel that it is in my best interest to get the plant material established.

[mdvaden]

I also don't enjoy summer planting, but its fine if watered enough.

Arborvitae seem that nastiest to keep going - those we try to postpone.

We make great effort to move plants in the morning.

Black pots are put in the shade until planting to avoid heat on the root zone.

For plants like Arborvitae, we have started using the spray solutions to "seal" them up from transpiration.

Mulch is fairly universal for us all.

We promote manual watering over auto irrigation. Auto systems almost cannot water new plants properly - all 360 degrees of the rootball. So often, the foliage blocks spray in some way.

If its auto irrigation, we insist on manual backup every few days.

Also, we put up text and a photo illustration in our Landscape Advice in ADVICE at www.mdvaden.com

Almost every customer here has internet, so they go to our site to review on watering new trees and plants, as well as benefits of mulch.

We used to explain it, now we don't have to. Losses are low. I think one azalea so far this year.

[Bexter]

I really don't see how you can avoid planting in July and August ... I know we couldn't with such a short season. I'll echo what has been said...use well established plant material. We make sure the plants are good and wet before they go out in the morning, keep them in a shaded area if they are not going to be planted right away and water them in half way when planting.