IF YOU MISSED the spring planting season, this is your last chance to get trees in this year.
September through November is good because a freshly planted tree can put its energy into growing roots instead of foliage, and establish itself before winter. While spring offers a better selection of nursery stock, garden centers and nurseries often have late-season sales. You’ll be choosing from the trees that may have been containered most of the summer, so look for one with healthy foliage. Be sure to get the planting done before late fall, when trees are largely dormant and won’t spread roots; also, the ground could freeze before the tree has a chance to establish root growth. But whether you’re planting a tree in spring or fall, there’s still only one way to do it right.
STEP 1: CALL 811 AND AVOID UTILITY LINES / Before you do any deep digging or soil sampling, dial 811. This national service alerts local utility companies to identify the location of underground lines so you can avoid hitting them while digging. Call at least three days before planting to allow marking crews sufficient time to visit the site.
This story is from the September 2019 edition of Popular Mechanics.
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This story is from the September 2019 edition of Popular Mechanics.
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