Gardening Tools Plants purchased in containers are set with the top of soil on the rootball level with the surface of the garden soil. No matter what you may have been told about containers eventually rotting away, always remove containers, or any other wrappings, before planting. Many plants have died of drought and starvation because the containers were left on and failed to disintegrate.

When roots have grown out through the drainage holes in metal or fibre containers, cut the containers with tin snips. Never try to pull the roots through the holes because they will be severely damaged.

Balled plants, those delivered from a nursery with the roots wrapped in sacking or plastic film, are set with the top of the soil at the same level as the soil mark on the stems of the plants.

Container grown plants can be set out immediately, but plants which will have to be lifted in a nursery to fill an order may have to wait until the leaves have fallen naturally before delivery.

When the plant has been set at correct depth in the planting hole and the hole about three-quarters filled with the compost-topsoil mixture, pour in a couple of pails of water to drive out trapped air and to settle soil around the roots. Allow this water to drain away before bringing the soil to the surrounding level. Do this even if it is raining at planting time.



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December 4, 2008