How to Plant Shrubs in Your Garden

Choose the Right Location

Shrubs are an easy and low-maintenance way to add some year-round greenery and beauty to your garden. But there are a few things you need to keep in mind when planting shrubs to ensure they thrive.

In this post, we'll guide you through the steps to plant shrubs in your garden so that you can enjoy a lush, vibrant and healthy garden for years to come.

Prepare the Soil

The first and most important thing to know when planting shrubs is to choose a location with the right amount of sun and shade, as this can have a significant impact on how well your shrubs will grow.

For example, if you're planting a shrub that prefers more shade, planting it in full sun may stunt its growth, and it might even die. Likewise, planting a shrub that thrives in full sun in a shaded spot may prevent it from getting the sunlight needed for growth.

Consider the size of your shrub when selecting a location. Leave at least a few feet of space around the shrub to ensure that it has room to grow.

Planting Your Shrubs

Before planting, it's essential to prepare the soil correctly. You should remove any weeds or debris from the area, and loosen the soil with a garden fork or tiller. If your soil is compact or infertile, you may need to amend it with organic matter or fertilizer.

Ensure that the soil drainage is good. Most shrubs prefer well-drained soil. Consider if your soil needs to be drained better, or if the plant needs an option like a French drain.

Currently, there is a type of perforated drain pipe, known as EZflow, that can make drainage more straightforward by quickly getting rid of the excess water.

Water, Prune, and Maintain

When it comes to planting shrubs, there are a few specific things you should keep in mind.

First, dig a hole that's two times the width of your shrub's container, but only as deep. Do not plant your shrub too deeply. Shrub plants need their base of the stems to be above the soil level.

Then, gently remove the plant from its container and loosen any roots that have grown in a circle. Spread the roots out slightly to promote growth, and place the shrub in the hole.

Ensure that the shrub is positioned upright in the hole, and fill the space around it with soil. Firm the soil, but be gentle enough to avoid compacting it. Add a layer of mulch to help keep the soil moist and prevent weed growth.

Conclusion

After planting, it's essential to water your shrubs regularly, especially during the first year when they are establishing their roots. Shrubs should generally be watered once a week, except during the rainy season.

The amount of water required will depend on the species, soil, weather, and age of the shrub, so pay attention to the plant's growth and adjust the water as needed.

Also, prune your shrubs as needed to control size and shape. Most shrubs will require shaping in the first years, done in winter after the first fruits. Remove any dead, diseased or damaged branches throughout the year.

To maintain healthy shrubs, ensure that surrounding grass or other plants are not in competition with them for water and nutrients.

In summary, with some prior planning and the right care, shrubs can be a fantastic addition to your garden. Starting from planting them in the appropriate location with good soil drainage to watering, pruning and maintenance, your shrubs will thrive and add beauty to your garden for years to come.

Make sure to visit gardenerspath.com for more information and tips on gardening.