Planting Instructions
Plant Installation: The Kerby's Way
Correct planting goes a long way toward garden success. It starts with the right essentials to give your plant a leg up: we believe in installing every plant with good soil and quality fertilizer. The size and depth of the hole matter, too. Does it sound complex? It’s not – trust us, we know you’ve got this.
Watch our planting video and review the Planting Steps below.
Step 1: Remove the Container
This may seem straightforward, but we want to avoid breaking foliage and excessively disturbing the plant, as this can send the plant into shock.
Carefully remove the container by holding the top of the root ball and gently sliding the plant out. If it won’t budge, squeeze the nursery pot a few times to loosen the soil and roots from the pot. If it continues to be stuck, most likely because the roots are growing from the pot and/or it’s root-bound, you can cut the nursery pot and remove it like a jacket.
Once the plant is freed, if the root ball looks compact, loosen it with a gentle squeeze.
Step 2: Dig the Hole
Dig the hole twice as wide and the same depth as the plant’s original container. You can check this by setting the plant in the hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. The biggest planting problem we see is planting too deep, which can suffocate the plant.
Your plant says, “Don’t suffocate me by planting me too deep!”
Step 3: Prepare the Planting Mix
Nursery plants are grown in good, rich soil. And Florida native soil is typically the opposite: it’s sandy, it lacks nutrients, and doesn’t hold water.
Prepare a planting mix of one part rich soil with one part native soil. We recommend one of the Black Gold® soils we carry. They are organic and include rich materials that help maintain moisture and promote strong roots. For more information, see our Soil page.
For an extra boost, add the appropriate amount of Espoma Organic® Bio-tone® Starter Plus. It is both a fertilizer for new roots and a source of mycorrhizal fungi and beneficial bacteria that improve soil health and create a sturdy root system.1
Espoma Organic® Bio-tone® Starter Plus allows plants to take up nutrients and water more readily, leading to less transplant shock, quicker establishment, and superior growth.1
Step 4: Fill the Hole
Fill the hole with the planting mix you created in Step 3, packing the soil lightly to remove any air pockets. Don’t pack it too tightly, though, as this can also suffocate the plant.
We also encourage you to build a ring (or berm) around larger plants and trees to hold water over the root ball.
Using a good planting mix provides your plant with the benefits of the rich soil amendment but also allows it to get to know its new native soil.
Step 5: Water and Fertilizer
Finally, soak thoroughly to start the process of establishing your new plant. For ground-planted plants, water every day the first month, every other day the second month, and couple of times a week the third month. Hand-watering during these first 3 months is important, as sprinklers may not be enough. For more watering tips, see our Watering Instructions for more details.
And just like us, your plant needs its vitamins and minerals, so don’t forget to feed it by creating a fertilization schedule. Try to use at least an all-purpose fertilizer at the beginning of spring, summer, and fall. All fertilizers will outline how often and how much to use. For information on the fertilizers we recommend, see our Fertilizer page.
The Kerby’s Special is an all-purpose, well-balanced fertilizer with micro-elements, created to provide the nutrition that is lacking in our local soil. We also carry organic Espoma® fertilizers.
With that, you’ve moved your new plant into your garden. Time to sit back and enjoy its beauty!
Note: The above information is primarily for ground-planted plants. If you’re planting in a container or hanging basket, make sure to use rich potting soil and a container with drainage. Check more often for watering, as containers tend to dry out more quickly. Fertilize when needed.
Anybody can sell you plants, we make sure you succeed.