Planting and Care Guide | Water Crest Farms

Caring For Your New Plant:

The most common causes for plant failure are improper planting depth and improper watering, please follow instructions below to get on the right track!

These directions are a starting point and the survivability of your plant(s) is dependent on your attention and care! By purchasing from Water Crest Farms you acknowledge that we do not guarantee our plants – once plants leave our nursery, proper care and planting is up to you!

INSTALLATION:

SELECT PLANTING LOCATION: Learn about your new plant! Does it want full sun, partial sun, shade? Wet soil or well-drained soil? Plants like what they like and will thrive in the right conditions. Forcing a plant in inappropriate conditions will result in disappointment.
DIG A HOLE: Dig a hole that is 2x the width and the same depth as the pot / root ball. You do not want your plant to be sunken in the ground (it will suffocate the roots) – installed plant should be level with or slightly raised above the surrounding ground.
INSTALL YOUR PLANT:
1. POTTED PLANTS:
  1. Remove pot and loosen roots. Remove soil from top of the pot to expose root flare* (see diagram)
  2. Place plant in hole and confirm that root flare is level with or slightly above surrounding ground - Planting your plant so that it is sunken in will cause your root system to suffocate and die!
  3. Spread loosened roots in hole and back-fill with displaced soil.
  4. With left-over soil, create a ring/donut at least 12” from the base/trunk to prevent run-off when you water. Do not mulch inside of this ring – mulch or soil covering root flare and up against the trunk of the tree can suffocate plant.
2. BALLED BURPLAP PLANTS:
  1. Cut back twine that is wrapped around trunk and peel back burlap so that top of rootball is exposed. Cut off excess burlap.
    1. You do NOT need to remove wire cage or fully remove burlap - Our burlap is biodegradable and wire baskets do not inhibit root growth.
  2. Remove the top layer of soil from rootball until root flare is exposed * (see diagram)
  3. Place plant in hole and confirm that root flare is level with or slightly above surrounding ground - Planting your plant so that it is sunken in will cause your root system to suffocate and die!
  4. With left-over soil, create a ring/donut at least 18” from the base/trunk to prevent run-off when you water. Do not mulch inside of this ring – mulch or soil covering root flare and up against the trunk of the tree can suffocate plant.
WATER YOUR PLANT: A long deep watering is essential after installing your plant. Place your hose at the base of the plant’s stem and turn it on to water-fountain trickle. Refer to watering chart below.

WATERING:

NOTE: Watering directions from WCF are a starting point and the survivability of your plant(s) is dependent on your attention and care. You may need to adjust watering if your plant is showing signs of stress. PLEASE, call us at the FIRST signs of stress NOT when your plant is dead and we cannot help you save it!

Plants should NOT be watered every day. A healthy root-system (and well-established plant) happens when the plant receives long/deep waterings a few times a week & roots have time to dry out between waterings. A little bit of water every day (via drip or irrigation) is not ideal for most plants and is usually not sufficient during hot summer months. Start with watering 2x a week, if you plant is droopy, increase watering to 3xs a week.
Place your hose at the base of your plant. Turn water pressure to water fountain trickle.
Refer to chart for APPROXIMATE watering time suggestions**

1 -2 gallon pot (perennials and some grasses) 3-5 minutes

3-5 gallon pot (smaller shrubs, roses, hydrangeas) 10-12 minutes

7-10 gallon pot (larger shrubs, rhododendrons, small trees)15-20 minutes

15-25 gallon pot (small to medium trees) 25 minutes

1 – 2” caliper trees - 35 minutes

2 – 3” caliper trees - 45 minutes

** Watering times above are SUGGESTIONS. You are responsible for monitoring your tree for signs of stress and adjusting watering. Check soil dryness: insert screwdriver 6” down in soil, Is it dry? Its probably time to water! If its still moist, wait another day to water.

CONTACT US: If you have any concerns or questions, call us! We often can help diagnose watering issues if you call at first signs of stress! DON’T wait to call until its too late. We cannot bring your plant back to life.