Two Hour Gardening Project: Stage 13 – Planting a Tree

Tree planting time: re-excavate the earlier pit and plant. Nurserymen have thousands of orders—be patient. Plant anytime in fall when ground not too wet/frozen. Staking/tying crucial—we show correct method. Tree planted = halfway to a garden.

Needs: 1 tree stake; 1 strong tree tie; 1 pkt honesty seed. Time: 4 hours in 2 weeks.

Late September Weather/Soil

Calm, warm, sunny days—plants risk drought. Still nights bring dew/frost. Stray gales remind autumn persists. Bring in summer houseplants. Mow lawn into winter.

Flower of the Fortnight: Honesty

Lunaria biennis—near-desirable weed. Self-seeds readily, no problem. Recognize young plants: bright green heart-shaped leaves. Remove unwanted seedlings. Biennial: leafy first year, flowers/seeds second, then dies. Grown for coin-shaped silvery seed cases (indefinite dried decorations) as much as pink flowers. White-flowered forms appear if seedlings left.

Groundwork

1. Collect seeds: Shirley poppies, calendulas, nasturtiums, Canary creeper, sunflowers.
2. Deadhead calendulas, pelargoniums, fuchsias, petunias—mini autumn flush.
3. Pinch back convolvulus for low growth.
4. Check gladioli/chrysanthemum stakes.
5. Water thyme/periwinkle till established.
6. Tie straggly pole bean shoots—fruiting soon.
7. Pinch tomato/marrow/squash new growth for fruit focus. Water well. Move tomato bags to warmest, sunniest spot.
8. Thin carrots, radishes, lettuces—use thinnings in salads/stews/broths.
9. Top up hollows in new turf with soil/sand mix.
10. Hoe late weed seedlings immediately.
11. Mulch new tree with clippings/peat/compost; keep watered.

Project Work: Planting the Tree

Container-grown tree arrives soon. If not ordered, garden center can still deliver. Trees come in various containers—treat similarly. On arrival: shaded, sheltered, sacking over roots (garage/shed). Prevent frost/wind damage. Re-excavate Stage 11 pit. Protect grass with boards if heaping soil on lawn. Fill pit with water, wait 3 days.

Lay bricks/stones/rubble drainage layer. Move tree in container to pit edge. Lift by container, not stem—two people. Lower into hole. Adjust level with bricks/stones under container. Cut container wires. Slide out base sheet if present. Backfill with excavated soil. Wriggle container up as you fill. Firm every 15 cm. Fill to container soil level. Firm again, leave slight depression. Don't soak yet. Helper holds stem; drive sharpened stake vertically.

Stake well below drainage layer, vertical, parallel to stem, ~3.5 cm away. Tie firmly below main branches. Ensure no branch rubs stake. Coffee break. Then soak depression thoroughly. Admire work—tree success depends on planting quality. Well-excavated hole with fresh soil for roots = thriving tree. Year 1: little growth. Year 2: rapid. Year 3: flowering/fruiting.