🏡How to Plant a Shrub👨‍🌾

[@JimPutnam]

I wasn't really intending to make a 15 minute video for this, but that's what it took. Thanks for watching and following along with my projects.

[@jaimetellier5139]

Omg...using the shovel as a guide to plant a little higher than grade. Brilliant!

[@gunniferjenning8777]

Love the motto “plant it high so it doesn’t die” 👍 Easy to teach and remember.

[@GardenDoodles]

Thank you. I learned “Too high, won’t die; too low, won’t grow!” from you a while back and it has literally been a plant life saver.

[@johnmorris7302]

Love the saying "plant it high and it want die"

[@jsmiles1991]

"Plant it high and it won't die" I like that!

[@adrabruzzese7610]

Another great video Jim. Always informative. The most important think I've learned from all the gardeners I watch is not planting too deep.

[@JimPutnam]

For sure. Thanks for watching

[@RichardGilbert2727]

Clay-ours is the worst. We are in SW VA's "shale valley eco region." Shale is rock made from clay under long, intense compression. So we have tight clay riddled with rocks. There are also stone ledges. The pick is great. I had to run to Harbor Freight to buy one upon trying to plant my first tree.

[@RichardGilbert2727]

P.S.-Jim, meant to add that your sawing the roots is solid gold practice too. Sometimes I saw off an inch all around the edges on really root bound plants. And take 2" off the bottom. But as you say, just taking the very bottom will unlock the side roots.

[@debbiesineath1952]

Thanks Jim, I always learn something when I watch your videos!

[@JaguarMikey]

This video is great! You answered multiple questions I've had since following you! Thank you Jim.

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for watching and following along

[@colsen4616]

Good tip - slicing off the matted roots. Hadn’t heard that before. 👍🏻

[@pennyduncan5980]

Well.... this answered some questions I had as to why some shrubs I planted a few years ago died by the end of the season. Sigh. Thanks HT. Great video.

[@karlagrant3405]

I just bought one. I watched your video about 3 times before I planted it. I'm sure glad I did. There were lots of good nuggets of info! Thank you!

[@julieh7009]

Great info, as usual! The first time I heard you talk about planting high, top trimming, and wilting when the soil is wet was a total game changer for my garden. Saved many plants! 👍

[@skyz3160]

Always learning something new with your info ! ⭐

[@saunge72]

Great info, Thanks from me and my garden!

[@joncrunk598]

Hey, Jim. I apologize for the link to the trenching shovel I posted and deleted it. I should have noticed your link to one below the video. I own the 5 inch version of the same shovel and can't recommend it enough for those on the fence...It's worth every penny!

[@JimPutnam]

Thanks for confirming that it's a good one. 👍

[@live4theleafs364]

So many great tips and explained very well. Excellent video! Thx

[@IcecoldDan26]

Great tutorial Jim! With your help I've become much more confident in doing this sort of thing around the yard.

[@JimPutnam]

Glad to help. Thanks for following along

[@tscribejgriffin]

Great tips and helpful reminders.

[@joannereinauer7532]

I use a 5 in one painters tool to loosen roots. Slips right in your back pocket. Works great.

[@9999cameo]

That tool won't cut. You need any sharp instrument you prefer. Think "Clean cuts".

[@PauletteTrinh]

I've seen so many others add water during the backfilling process. I trust you're the expert and was wondering why you don't add water in the middle of backfilling. Thanks in advance! I can't wait to plant my first set of shrubs!

[@9999cameo]

Watering as you pictured is better. Don't want to step on the soil, that compacts it. Roots like air, but not large air pockets.

[@starlakelsey2782]

I actually think if I go and invest in the right tools I can plant my own shrubs now. I am tired of paying for someone else to do it. Good grief! You make it look easy. Glad you did a longer one on this. Much appreciated and got a lot out of this! One more thing, my cousin said up north they don't have pine needles to use as mulch. Have you heard of that?

[@JimPutnam]

Awesome, I'm glad. I hope you do try and tackle some of it👍.

[@marywhitfield7553]

Yes. My son lives in Indiana and he can’t get pine needles. He missed that when he moved there 5 yrs ago.

[@lovepeace4635]

Thank You for this video, I have clay soil .

[@junesmart7352]

Thank you again for good information, and letting us see the process as you explained. This is the best way for many of us to learn and gain confidence. I bought a few shrubs Monday and am SO ready to plant, but the rainwater is standing on the ground. Sometimes Mother Nature tells us to slow down!

[@dinoraportillo6863]

great video

[@JimPutnam]

Thank you

[@annyong919]

Ideas on what to do with the empty plant cans/pots? I don't think Wake County can recycle them.

[@JimPutnam]

Some of the garden centers will take them and return them to the growers

[@r.a.9985]

New here.. was wondering what steps do I have to take to plant shrubs in Florida, mostly sand area.

[@carmenbailey8209]

Thanks for sharing your planting, I was surprised to see red clay our clay soil is totally different. What’s your thoughts on not using a mulch? I have a 80% garden lot and haven’t used mulch yet. Taking care of weeds is a lot of work, but we also have maple keys that fall and having to remove them from the mulch would be impossible. Love to hear your thoughts. 👍❤️😊

[@junesmart7352]

Is there a hydrangea that can tolerate deeper shade and seasonally boggy soil, as in a raingarden, and still bloom well? Zone 7a/8b. If not a hydrangea, do you have any other recommendations for a good bloomer in often-wet shade, acidic soil? Hopefully long-blooming.

[@rosemarynguyen6793]

Hi Jim, I love your videos! My flower beds have already been established but can I rake the mulch away and add compost to it right on top without incorporating it and then add the mulch right on top? Sounds like that is what you meant by adding an inch of it on top of your soul but I just wanted to make sure.

[@ajkester]

This is the video I was looking for. Thank you. I have realized that I may have mounted up my plants a little bit higher, do you think that is an issue? Or should I give it a little time to see.

[@9999cameo]

If you think you planted too high, mulch more.

[@haleighlaverty2061]

Hi Jim, Love your videos, extremely helpful. What would you recommend me do knowing that I probably didn’t plant my ligustrums or sky pencils high enough above the surrounding ground level? They seem anchored in after three weeks of being planted, but my ligustrums are losing some of their leaves and browning a bit. Zone 8b-Charleston. I used some bio tone and a 50/50 ratio of planting mix with our clay soil. Thanks!

[@ginasnyder6735]

I’m jealous, I didn’t see any rocks. My ground is about 90% rocks!😳

[@9999cameo]

Trees and shrubs don't mind rocks. Leave them if they are small.

[@toddwhite3217]

thanks for all your informative work... but i think you may be missing a step / point,,, I have had great success in making sure there are NO air pockets under the plant ... i do this with a pvc pipe attached to the hose and drilling around the plant with water basically making a mud pie to fully encaplucate the roots with dirt... this is gets more important the larger and older the plant gets... I have just planted a 160 ft hedge row 200+ plants ,many of the plants 6' to 12' requiring heavy equipment to move. plus i just found 4 nellie stevens hollies 10ft+ on their way to the dump ... its taken me hours to hydro drill them to get the air out but i know if i don't my efforts will be in vain... Your Thoughts? thanks

[@9999cameo]

That seems excessive, but ok. You can accomplish the same thing with a hose. Keep adding soil on top as the soil level lowers around plant. No stepping or stomping! Let the water gently do the work!

[@zinkow]

Would "pine bark fines" that are used with bonsai plants work as a soil conditioner in clay soil?

[@JimPutnam]

Yes. Probably cost more just because they can

[@junesmart7352]

You have told us that a plant's dimensions on the plant tag really mean "maintainable at". With the dwarf Pugster buddleias, are they likely to monstrously outgrow the stated dimensions? I'm planting a few in a slightly 'groundcover' installation and want to give them room to mature with plenty of room to breathe, but without large spaces in between at maturity. Please advise.

[@9999cameo]

That pugster is a named cultivar and will keep its small size. You may want to deadhead the flowers to keep bush looking at its best during flowering. It is grown up in Michigan, so down South it may get a little bigger, but gardeners say its ok in GA, so far. Its pretty new.

[@mdiaz4734]

Hi Jim, Great video and very timely! I am so happy that I found your channel, I love your videos. In the late fall I got 12 ‘Bloomstruck’ hydrangea to make a long hydrangea hedge. The ground froze up before I could plant them. (3 to 5 gallon containers). I put them in a protected corner of the yard and covered them with a layer of the pine needles to try to insulate them for the winter. I think they will need some extra TLC this spring. Any advice for me? TY! 🌸

[@JimPutnam]

I think they will be fine. Bigleaf hydrangeas are super cold hardy. The roots could need more work than usual, because of how long they stayed in the container. You can fertilize them when you plant them.

[@mdiaz4734]

HortTube with Jim Putnam thank you!!

[@jrlsports9490]

What about a mushroom compost, Jim?

[@JimPutnam]

Yes, works great

[@anitahadley2871]

What about planting when we’ve had so much rain? should we just hold off a bit? I feel like I’d have clay clods if I started digging. The pickmatic is an essential for us here in GA. We bought a new one last year, a heftier one, and it was a beast! It helped so much removing giant tree roots from two Sweet Gums.

[@JimPutnam]

I tend to wait for a day or two after these big rains. A windy day helps as well.

[@mrgooch3673]

What size container is that? What size shrub is it?

[@JimPutnam]

It's a two gallon container. Maybe 18 inches tall

[@mrgooch3673]

@@JimPutnam Do you mean the plant itself is 18 inches tall?

[@JimPutnam]

@@mrgooch3673 Yes

[@michaelsommerfelt2136]

What if I did not do this? I planted some eleagnus in the fall and they were not 2" above the soil. Should I pull them up and try again now in March?

[@9999cameo]

Yes. Winter is a good time to take out your trees and shrubs, cut the roots properly (square sides and off the bottom) then replant. No amendments. Fertilize in spring. Mulch at planting. As ground settles, add soil on top. Do not step around plant. Let the soil settle on its own. The crown two inches above the grade is what you should have. Three and five years from now, your efforts will be noticed.

[@9999cameo]

Good cutting, however cut the side roots off, also, in a square shape. No amendments in hole. Put "amendments" on top. Do not step on soil around plant! Water in and add soil as settling happens. Roots like tiny air pockets. Fertilize in spring, plant in fall/winter. Privets are invasive, so please, choose a non-invasive shrub!

[@jeffpoplin558]

Good job, Jim, but you planted it in the wrong spot! haha (kidding - I watched your Wednesday video first)

[@JimPutnam]

I sure did😂. Thanks for watching 😊

[@jomatthews9068]

It is summer time in my southern state. I planted average sized shrubs back in early March and they were growing in size just fine. Now I fear that I may have overwatered these shrubs because while the shrubs look healthy they have shrunk in size by half. What is happening and what can I do?

[@9999cameo]

Now its autumn. Pull out your shrubs and check your roots. Cut them. Place back in hole. Backfill. Water. Mulch on top. Fertilize in the spring. Prune off sad tips and branches. Remove debris to trash. Mulch. Keep moist all winter so roots don't dry out. Water regularly all spring and summer. Putt all amendments on top. Enjoy!

[@moo1388]

Do not cut into your root systems like this! You can lightly tease them from the bottom, Like you are trying to remove knots from someone's hairm and tease out anything going round and round in circles but if you cut like Jim is cutting you are cutting through main roots that you need!