Site selection for landscape planting
With the arrival of spring comes the urge to renovate or add to the landscape in our yard. Time and attention are spent mostly on selection of the right plant or variety. Although important, we should remember that matching the site with the plant, and ensuring proper site preparation, will have a major impact on plant performance. Also, the amount of time we spend on maintenance will be affected by the preparation of the site prior to planting.
An initial step to planting would be to identify the sites targeted for planting. Next, make note of the site location and conditions such as:
1. Amount and timing of sunlight. For instance, note if the site is shady for the entire day or if it receives either morning or afternoon sun.
2. Soil type. Is the soil loose and well drained, or is it heavy clay that holds a lot of water.
3. Drainage pattern in the yard. Determine if the plant material would be in the middle of water flow during a rain or the recipient of water from your gutters.
4. Elevation. Is the site a low area that will tend to stay wet long after rainfall or is it a high area that will tend to dry out quickly.
5. Size. Be sure the mature size of plant will fit the site. Placing a large shade tree close to the corner of a house or a shrub growing to 12 feet beneath a 4-foot window will be a problem in the long term.
6. Nutrients. Collect a soil sample and test it to determine nutrient needs and pH of your soil and make soil adjustments prior to planting.
Adequate irrigation after planting is the most critical factor in determining success. Water every plant immediately after planting. Unlike established plants, research clearly shows that recently transplanted plants establish faster with light, frequent irrigation. The actual amount of water will need to be adjusted based on the weekly precipitation. In Arkansas during the summer months, newly transplanted plants may require supplemental irrigation several times per week. The actual amount of water will depend on the type of soil and size of plant.
The use of mulches to prevent erosion and to reduce water loss is highly recommended. Somehow, the concept of mulching has gotten out of hand. Over the past 30 years, there has been a shift from no mulch to “volcano” mulching. Mulching offers many advantages, including reducing weeds, protecting the trunk from string trimmer damage, conserving soil moisture and adding organic matter to the soil. Research has shown a dramatic increase in tree growth when a small area above the root ball is maintained free of vegetation. The depth of organic mulch should not exceed 3 inches after settling. Never pile mulch against the trunk. Mulch resting on the trunk and applying too thick a layer may result in increased stem and root diseases, may harbor rodents that feed on the trunk and may reduce the oxygen required by roots.
If you can describe your site in terms of these and other pertinent facts, then you are ready to either select plants that match the site conditions or to modify the site to match the desired plant. In some cases, we cannot modify certain factors, such as the amount of sunlight, and must do our best to select plant varieties that will meet our desire for color, size, etc., and still perform well.