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Spring is a great time to bring your garden to life, and a little preparation during the cooler months can set you up for success. In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about planting and maintaining a healthy, thriving garden.
Step 1: Define Your Planting Goals
Take some time before planting to decide what you want to achieve. Proper planning is key, whether you are planting trees for spring blossoms, year-round greenery, or attracting wildlife. Different trees and plants serve different purposes, so understanding your vision will help you to select the right plants for your garden. Here are some popular choices to match your goals:
Spring blossoms: Ornamental cherries, Crab apples or Amelanchiers.
Year-round foliage: Evergreens like Photinia Red Robin or Laurels.
Wildlife attraction: Hawthorn or rowan trees.
Winter interest: Birch trees or other trees with striking bark.
Step 2: Prepare the Soil
Healthy soil is the foundation of a thriving garden. Start by loosening the soil in your planting area and adding organic matter such as multipurpose compost or well-rotted manure. This enriches the soil with nutrients while preventing compaction, giving your plants the best possible start.
Step 3: Support Your Trees with the Right Accessories
Once you have planted your tree, proper support is essential to help it establish strong roots. Depending on your garden’s conditions and the size of your tree, choose one of the following staking methods:
Sheltered locations: A single stake will usually suffice.
Exposed areas or larger trees: Use two stakes for added stability.
All of our planting kits include a rubber buckle tie, this will help you to ensure that the stakes are securely tied to provide support without damaging the trunk. Check out our guide below…
Step 4: Maintenance Tips for a Healthy Garden
The secret to a thriving garden lies in consistent care. Here are three essential maintenance tips to keep your trees healthy:
1. Watering: Establishing a regular watering schedule is crucial during the first few growing seasons:
During the growing season: Start by giving the trees 5 litres of water every second day, directing the water to the base of the trunk. This 5 Litres is a good starting point/guide to make sure that the soil stays moist, if the soil starts to become saturated or dry adjust the amount as required.
During dormancy period (November-March): Pause watering as the ground should be moist enough, just check it over any extended dry periods. Resume regular watering in early spring.
Are you going on holiday or have other commitments that make sticking to the watering schedule difficult? If so, we can supply our King & Co Tree Watering Bags. These bags are an easy to install watering aid that slowly deliver water to the roots and allow more of the water to be absorbed deeper into the soil to promote root establishment.
2. Pruning: Pruning encourages healthy growth and keeps your trees looking their best. You can usually trim trees twice a year:
After flowering (late spring/early summer): Help the trees to thicken and grow more branches.
Early September: Tidies up the plant to create a nice, even shape for new growth in spring.
3. Weeding & Mulching
Keep a 1m weed-free circle around the base of each tree to minimize competition for nutrients and moisture. To further protect your trees, you can apply a thin layer of mulch around the base. Mulch helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and regulate soil temperatures. Just avoid piling mulch against the trunk as this can trap moisture and lead to rot.
Creating a thriving garden takes time, effort, and careful planning, but the results are well worth it. By defining your goals, preparing your soil, and following a consistent care routine, you will set your garden up for success and enjoy its beauty throughout the seasons.
Get started today and watch your garden flourish into a vibrant, thriving haven!
Frequently Asked Questions
Bare root trees can be planted from November to March. Container grown trees can be planted all year round. Watch our video guide on how to do so.
As a guide, we recommend giving each tree 5 litres of water every other day during the growing season. The water should be directed at the base of the trunk.
5 Litres is a good starting point to make sure that the ground stays moist, if the soil starts to become saturated or dry adjust the amount as required.
We can offer our planting service if you are local to the nursery. Planting prices are dependent on the size of the pot. Please contact us if you would like a quote.
