Dig the planting hole twice the width of the container or root ball but no deeper.
Prepare a mixture of 2/3 good topsoil and 1/3 of either compost or peat moss. Incorporate Bio-tone® into the mixture. Bio-tone® encourages root development and helps your plants to become established.
Container Plants:
Remove the plastic container and gently break apart some of the roots by pulling them outward. This should be done on both the sides and the bottom to encourage the roots to grow outward where they will pick up water and nutrients.
Set the plant in the center of the hole keeping the top of the boot ball even with the soil grade. Do not plant any deeper.
Back fill the root ball with the amended soil.
Water.
Ball & Burlap Plants:
Do not remove the burlap or wire basket prior to planting.
Set the plant in the center of the hole. The top of the root ball should be level with the soil grade around it. Do not plant any deeper.
Cut several slits in the burlap. Do not remove the burlap or the wire basket.
Back fill ¾ of the root ball with the amended soil. Compact the soil in the hole around the root ball to support and stabilize the tree or shrub.
Untie the burlap and cut any twine that is around the trunk. If the plant has a wire basket bend the top of the basket back and down into the hole. Do not remove the wire basket completely as it supports the root ball. In time both the burlap and basket will disintegrate.
Finish filling the hole with the remaining amended soil.
