There are many theories regarding the best ways to plant; get the roots down and the branches up and you should be OK. For more detailed instructions read on.
- Choose your site carefully. Consider the mature size of the plant. Most fruiting plants will preform best in well drained soil with good sun.
- Dig a hole at least twice as wide and approximately as deep as the pot the plant is in. Loosen soil around the hole thoroughly to allow roots to penetrate.
- Remove the plant from the pot and roughen the edges of the root-ball. Spread or cut any circling roots.
- Place the plant in the hole, and refill it with the same soil that came out of the hole, adding any rock minerals or soil amendments. Firm the soil with your hands. The soil in the pot or the base of the plant should be level or slightly above the surrounding grade. In heavier soils, planting slightly high will help to ensure the crown of the plant has adequate drainage.
- Water thoroughly. Soak the planting hole before, during, and after planting. Water is essential for successful transplanting.
- Add compost and mulch. Mulch can be used to form a dish to direct water to the plant. Keep mulch a few inches away from the base of the plant to avoid any rot. 2-4 inches of wood chips, bark mulch, leaves, or most other organic material will help tremendously to hold moisture, discourage weeds, and encourage healthy soil life. A layer of newspaper or cardboard underneath the mulch can effectively block weeds for a season.
- Water for the first season if the soil around the plant feels at all dry. Feed in the late fall or spring with compost, manure, or other organic fertilizer. Protect young plants from deer and rodents!