Many nurseries, garden centers and discount stores offer trees and shrubs at reduced prices during the summer months. Many of the plants have potential in the yard, but homeowners should take some precautions to make sure they get their monies worth.
Nursery or garden center plants usually are top quality. However, you may be buying a less than desirable plant at discount stores, according to David Robson, University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator, Springfield Center. Under-watering and over-watering are the two culprits in most plant deaths at discount stores. The hectic pace of spring sales can contribute to the lack of proper care, as well as the knowledge of what constitutes correct care.
Before purchasing any plant, take a good look at the soil in the pot. Make sure the root ball hasn't pulled away from the sides of the pot–an indication the soil has been allowed to dry out repeatedly.
On top of that, roots should be a white or cream color. Black roots can be an indicator of root rot, a root system that has been allowed to dry out, or roots exposed to extreme heat which is quite common considering that most pots are dark heat-absorbing plastic. A light tug on the plant's stem should also indicate a dry root ball. If the plant moves easily out of the pot, choose another specimen.
Expect a few yellow leaves on most potted plants. However, if the entire plant has an off green color, seriously consider another specimen. Off colors could be an indication of too much water or a lack of nutrients in the soil.
Also, remember that while a huge discount may seem like a good deal, if the plant is in poor condition, it may never develop properly in the landscape and be prone to insect and disease attacks.
Planting trees and shrubs during the summer is no different than in spring. A proper hole is dug and soil amended with compost. Make sure the hole is large enough to hold the plant. Jamming a plant in a small hole results in poor root growth and the possibility of girdling roots.
There's a tendency to compensate for summer's heat by over watering the plant. A plant will only absorb as much water as the roots can take in. Any extra water only leads to root rots as the moisture depletes the needed air in the soil.
If the root system seems insufficient for the top growth, it's better to prune some limbs instead of adding more water. The plant's crown should be in direct proportion to the amount of roots beneath. Wait a day or two after planting if you're unsure of top pruning. Examine the plant carefully and observe any wilting of leaves in mid-morning. If present, remove some branches.
Trees and shrubs may need weekly, thorough watering for three weeks after planting. After a month, water only every two weeks if rainfall is slight. Mulch newly planted trees and shrubs to conserve soil moisture and maintain even soil temperatures. Cooler soil temperatures allow for more root development.
Avoid fertilizing newly planted woody plants with nitrogen in the summer. Nitrogen may encourage new growth that won't have a chance to mature before winter's cold. Phosphorus and potassium may be applied in order to promote root growth. A cup each of triple super phosphate and muriate of potassium can be added to the backfill of each plant.
