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Guilford Garden Center Planting Guide

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Proper planting is critical for plant health. At Guilford Garden Center, we recommend using our premium soil mixes and planting techniques to ensure success.

We offer two organic soil amendments: Daddy Pete’s Planting Mix (an all-purpose compost/bark blend) and Planting Mix with Permatil. The Permatil mix contains PermaTill® (expanded slate), which offers superior drainage and aeration and helps deter voles in heavy soils.

Use Daddy Pete’s Planting Mix for most trees, shrubs, and perennials; use the Planting Mix with Permatil in heavy clay soils, for bulbs, or other special situations. We also supply Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus (an organic root stimulator) to mix into the backfill (according to manufacturer directions) to boost root development.

Materials & Site Preparation

  • Planting Site: Choose a location suited to your plant’s needs (sunlight, shade, soil drainage, space). Remove any sod, grass, or weeds from the area. Dig a planting hole at least twice as wide as the plant’s container and about as deep as the container. The soil should be no deeper than the container’s height. Loosen the soil on the hole’s sides with your shovel or a garden fork.
  • Safety Check: For large holes, call 811 to have utility lines marked before digging. Wear gloves and eye protection when handling soil or cutting containers.
  • Soil Mix: At the bottom of the hole, place some of the chosen planting mix. For example, add a 1–2 inch layer of Daddy Pete’s Mix or Planting Mix with Permatil. (We recommend mixing a portion of the native soil with the planting mix as you backfill, rather than using amendments alone.)
  • Starter Fertilizer: Have Bio-tone Starter Plus on hand. This organic powder will be sprinkled into the hole (see Step 3) to feed roots as the plant establishes.
  • Tools and Materials: Shovel, gloves, tape measure, mulch (shredded bark or compost), watering source. Keep stakes and ties ready if planting a large tree that needs support.
beautiful flower garden

Planting Steps

  1. Dig the hole. Make the hole about twice as wide as the plant’s container and the same depth. The extra width lets roots spread easily. Do not dig deeper than the container’s height. Loosen soil at the hole’s edges.
  2. Place soil mix and add Bio-tone. Into the bottom of the hole, add a 2–3 inch layer of Daddy Pete’s Planting Mix or Planting Mix with Permatil. Sprinkle a generous handful of Bio-tone Starter Plus into the hole (follow label directions). Mix it lightly into the soil at the base.
  3. Prepare the plant. Remove the plant from its container. Loosen any circling roots. Place the plant in the hole with the top of its root mass level with the surrounding ground. Do not bury the stem.
  4. Backfill and water. Refill the hole using a blend of native soil and planting mix. Half-fill, water thoroughly, then continue backfilling to the top of the root mass. Add more Bio-tone if needed. Tamp gently and water deeply again.
  5. Mulch and finalize. Apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch, keeping it a few inches away from the trunk. Stake the plant if needed. Water the area again.

Aftercare

  • Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist. Water deeply at planting, then daily for the first week or two. After that, every 2–3 days. Adjust for rainfall. Use the finger test to check moisture: insert your finger into the soil; water if dry a few inches down.
  • Feeding: Wait until new growth appears before applying additional fertilizer. Bio-tone provides initial nutrients.
  • Mulch & Weeding: Maintain mulch and keep it from touching stems. Pull weeds regularly.
  • Monitoring: Watch for signs of stress. Provide shade or support if needed. Remove stakes after one season.

How Often Should I Water My Plants?

Watering needs vary with conditions. Most plant issues arise from either too much or too little water. After planting, soak the soil thoroughly. For ongoing care, use the Finger Test to check soil moisture: push your finger deep into the soil near the plant. If it feels moist, wait before watering again. If it feels dry, it’s time to water.

Soil moisture is influenced by weather, temperature, wind, and soil type. Because of this, it’s best to monitor regularly using the Finger Test. If you’re going on vacation or unable to test daily, here are general watering suggestions for newly planted trees and shrubs during their first year:

  • Hot Months: Water 3 times per week
  • Warm Months: Water 2 to 3 times per week
  • Cool Months: Water 2 times per week
  • Cold Months: Water once every few weeks if dry and windy

After one year, reduce this schedule by about half. Always water deeply to promote strong root growth. Hand watering is best during the establishment period, as it provides better control than automated systems.

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