Holly Days Nursery's

Guide to a Successful Planting!

Achieve Gardening Success with our Expert-Approved Tips and Tricks!

Before You Plant

Prepare for Planting Success.. These are our top tips before you put your plants in the ground!

Test Your Soil

Most plants prefer well-drained soil. To test your soil's drainage, dig a hole as deep as your planting hole and fill it with water. If the water drains at less than 1 inch per hour, you may need to amend the soil significantly or choose a water-tolerant plant.

Know Your Plant

Trees and shrubs come as Balled & Burlapped (B&B) or containerized, and can be planted anytime the ground isn't frozen. Ideally, plant immediately. If not, keep the plant moist in a shady or sheltered spot until you can. Always water plants thoroughly before planting.

The Planting Hole

To plant your tree or shrub dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and 1-2" shallower. The top of the root ball should be slightly above the surrounding surface of the soil when planting is complete.

Placing Your Plant

Let Us Help You Place Your Plants Correctly! This is what we recommend to ensure a successful planting!

Balled & Burlapped

Do not remove the wire basket, burlap, or twine until the tree is positioned correctly in the hole. Lift the plant by the root ball (not the trunk) and place it carefully in the hole to ensure proper orientation. Begin backfilling the hole with amended soil. While covering the roots, pour diluted Root & Grow root stimulator to ensure they are thoroughly saturated. Continue filling the hole until the soil reaches three-quarters up the root ball. Then, fold down the top quarter of the basket and burlap, and remove any string around the trunk. Fill the remaining hole to its original level with enriched soil. Use extra soil to create a 6-10 inch ring around the hole's edge to form a water-collecting saucer that directs water to the root zone, reducing runoff. Maintain monthly applications of Root & Grow root stimulator until the end of fall, following the instructions on the label.

Container Plants

Ease the pot off the rootball without disturbing it. If the roots are compacted, make a few shallow cuts on the sides and bottom to encourage growth. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with amended soil. Pour diluted Bonide's Root & Grow over the soil as you cover the roots. Continue backfilling to the original soil level. Use Bonide's Root & Grow monthly until the end of fall, following the label instructions.

Enriching Your Soil & Backfilling

Most soils benefit from adding organic matter. Mix up to 25% of a soil conditioner with the soil removed from the hole for backfilling. Recommended conditioners include Jolly Gardener Premium Tree, Shrub & Rose Garden Soil, Mushroom Soil, and Bumper Crop. Tamp the soil lightly every 2-3 inches and fill the hole to its original level with the amended soil.

Mulching

Apply a 2-3 inch layer of shredded mulch or wood chips around the plant. This helps retain moisture, insulates against extreme soil temperatures, and prevents damage from mowers and trimmers. Avoid placing mulch directly against the trunk or stem to prevent excess moisture buildup and potential rot.

Watering

To ensure your newly planted tree or shrub thrives, water using a slow, deep method. Both Balled & Burlapped (B&B) and container roots dry out faster than surrounding soil, so monitor their moisture carefully. Factors like soil type, sun exposure, temperature, plant type and size, and recent rainfall influence watering frequency. Typically, newly planted trees and shrubs require about 1 inch of water per week during their first growing season. Utilize a soaker hose or Gator Bag to achieve slow watering and minimize runoff. Without factoring in rainfall, plan to water every 2-3 days initially, adjusting based on seasonal conditions. During hot, dry periods, you may need to water more frequently.

General Watering Guidelines for Clay Soil

Based on Plant Size

1 to 3 gallons

Trickle water for approximately 10-20 minutes

4 to 7 gallons

Trickle water for approximately 20-30 minutes

B&B up to 2" caliper

Trickle water for approximately 45-60 minutes

B&B over 2" caliper

Trickle water for approximately 60-70 minutes

Staking

Holly Days Nursery advises using a wooden tree stake to support your new tree during its initial 18 months of establishment. Staking is recommended if the tree is top-heavy or located in a windy area to anchor the root ball and encourage rapid root development into the surrounding soil. Attach the stakes to the trunk using flexible lines and straps designed for this purpose, allowing some movement for robust growth. Remove the stakes and lines after one growing season to promote independent strength in the tree.

Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee
Holly Days Plant Guarantee

Holly Days Nursery provides top-quality nursery-grown plants that are disease-free and accurately identified. If a purchased plant becomes ill or dies within six months of purchase and is returned with the original receipt, customers can receive 50% of its original purchase price as credit toward a replacement plant or product at Holly Days Nursery (one-time only). This guarantee applies only if the plant has been planted and cared for according to Holly Days Nursery guidelines.

For specific questions about your plant, please email sales@hollydaysnursery.com and include a picture of your plant. Often, we can assist you through email correspondence.

This guarantee applies exclusively to nursery stock sold at Holly Days Nursery. It does not cover plants kept in containers, items discounted 25% or more, or specific categories such as Perennials, Annuals, Roses, Camellias, Crape Myrtles, Tropicals, Ground Covers, Sod, Southern Magnolia, and broadleaf evergreens planted between November 15 and March 15.

This guarantee excludes damage caused by human actions, animals, drought, flooding, over or under-watering, insects, disease, or unusual acts of nature. To validate the guarantee, you must present the original sales receipt and either the plant itself or a photo of it.

Contact Us

Please feel free to contact us and we will do our best to respond within 1-2 Buisness Days