My Tree's Planted!

Well, I finally did it. I decided it was close enough to spring and planted my bare root dogwood tree. What? You can't see anything? Look closer.


What's that white stuff around that twig? It's my version of mulch. All of my ideas and experiences with mulching will have to be another post. I like to experiment.

By the way, that twig is my tree! OK, the tree doesn't look like the full grown 15 foot Dogwood in full spring glory. But it's got to start somewhere. My neighbor said, "Doesn't look like much yet." My six-year-old son said, "We're going to have to wait until you retire to see the tree big." I don't know about waiting until I'm retired, but maybe five years. Patience, my son, patience.

Planting My Bare Root Dogwood Tree

Quick description about what I did - (I don't claim to be an expert. I may have even done things a little wrong. But I'll still document what I did.): I let the bare root tree soak in a bucket of water for a day and a half. (My daughter said, "Daddy, what's that? A tree? Doesn't look like a tree.") I put on my hunting boots to keep myself from slipping off the hill. For every 3 shovelfuls of dirt, I added a half shovelful of leaf compost and a large handful of worm compost (compost stories will probably be part of my mulching stories - which will come). Dug the hole about twice the needed width. Built a little mound for the roots in the middle of the hole. Spread the roots out over the hill, like a Southern belle sitting down with her hoop skirt. Filled the hole halfway with the amended dirt. Added about half a gallon of water to let the dirt settle. Added more dirt to fully cover the roots. Packed the dirt down with my hands. Made a ring of compost and added more water.

Comment about amended dirt to back fill: I've read about amending and not amending when planting trees. The latest advice being given is not to amend. The reasoning is that the roots will only grow out to the circumference of the amended area. I decided to amend since the soil is rather sandy - water drains very quickly - adding compost may maintain the moisture. Even if the tree ends up being stunted because of amending, having a Dogwood tree that is only 6-8 tall rather than 15-20 feet tall is no loss to me.

What's to come: I got an email that the other perennials for the front hill have been mailed. Planting will probably begin next weekend. I also started making the beds for my vegetable garden out back. Also, more perennials should pop their heads out of the soil in the little hill out back. They'll be a lot to blog soon.