General Planting Guide

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• Place your plants in the shade and water them as soon as you get them home. Then dig the planting holes and, if the planting area is dry, thoroughly water the planting hole before you plant.
• Dig each planting hole 2-3 times larger than the plant’s root ball but no deeper than the plant’s container. Flare the top of the planting hole out into a wide "V". Using the pot the plant came in as a measurement guide, add two to three pots of our Organic Compost to the soil that came out of the hole and mix well.
• Stir the Plant Farm’s Transplant Food into the bottom of the planting hole at the rate recommended on the package. It is critical that you add a granular or other long lasting fertilizer to the soil at planting time.
• Remove the plant from its container, being careful not to damage the roots, and set the root ball into the planting hole, with the top of the root ball even with the surrounding soil level. You may need to add soil to the bottom of the hole to raise the root ball to the proper level.

Special note on burlap wrapped roots: Do not remove the burlap, as the root ball must not be disturbed at all. Do not drop the plant when handling, as this can kill your plant! After planting, cut the rope from around the trunk and remove the excess burlap that sticks up above soil level, using scissors or a sharp knife.

• Fill in around the root ball with the amended soil, gently firming the soil with your hands, not your feet. Create a moat with soil or mulch around the top of the planting area to catch irrigation water and rain. Thoroughly water the plant immediately after planting.

Care After Planting

• Cover the planting area with 2-3 inches of mulch (bark or compost) to significantly improve the growing conditions for your new plants as well as reduce your need to water – and your water bill!
• Water as needed to maintain adequate soil moisture. It is very damaging to keep the soil too wet. Check the soil every 2-3 days for moisture and water only if the soil feels dry.  Deep watering, less often is far better than frequent watering as it promotes deeper root growth, making the plant more adaptable to winter cold, drying winds and summer drought.
• Maintain soil fertility. We use a slow release granular fertilizer at the Plant Farm. Make sure you establish and maintain a fertilizer program for at least the first2 years after planting. Fertilizing any year after that is less crucial, but will result in amazing growth and more robust plants.

The Plant Farm at Smokey Point’s
Plant Guarantee Policy

• Your newly purchased plants are guaranteed for 90 days from date of purchase.*
• All returns must be accompanied by the sales receipt and the plant.
• Always call us prior to digging up questionable plants for returns.

*We are unable to guarantee annuals & vegetables, or guarantee against
 winter kill, neglect or abuse.

 

Provided your plant receives reasonable care but fails to survive the 90 days,
The Plant Farm at Smokey Point will issue a one-time replacement or credit of
the plant’s like value at time of purchase.

If for any reason your plant appears to be showing signs of stress within the 90-day period (or even after that), call us immediately. We are very happy to answer questions you may have, and more often than not we are able to troubleshoot over the phone.

We are committed to providing you with the information necessary to have a successful garden. Please ask our sales associates about your selections to determine if they are appropriate for the intended site, and what their hardiness is.

Please read and follow the planting instructions on the other side of this sheet.