- 1). Plant shrubs in early spring, just after the last frost, or in late summer or early fall, before freezing temperatures move in. This will give the shrub time to establish roots in its new location before the ground freezes for winter.
- 2). Till the planting soil to a depth of at least 10 inches. This will break up the soil, making for easier root establishment, and will eliminate weed roots. If the shrub requires well-draining soil, mix in 1 part peat moss or compost per 4 parts soil while tilling to increase drainage.
- 3). Dig a hole twice as wide as the roots of the shrub. The hole should be ½ to 1 inch shallower than the depth of the roots.
- 4). Remove the shrub from its container or bag. Immediately insert the shrub into the hole, gently spreading the roots so that they fill most of the hole. Roots can be damaged if exposed to light and air, so act carefully but quickly.
- 5). Settle the shrub so that the top ½ to 1 inch of the root ball protrudes over the soil. Backfill the hole halfway and tamp down the soil. Water the soil so that water fills the rest of the hole. The tamping and watering will eliminate air pockets in the soil. Continue when the water has drained completely.
- 6). Fill in the rest of the hole, tamp down the soil and water thoroughly to remove air pockets. Continue to water until the water starts to pool around the base of the plant. This will ensure that the roots are thoroughly soaked, encouraging root establishment.
- 7). Add a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch in a 3-foot circle around the shrub. This will help to keep the roots moist and keep away weeds during establishment.