At the bottom of the hole, add cardboard or newspaper and let it come partially up the side of the hole.  This material is biodegradable and adds moisture retention to the soil.  Additionally, it will retain fertilizer to the area of the roots and as the paper decomposes it becomes food for worms, which are great for the soil.

Remove the plastic container from the tree and loosen the root ball.  Place the tree in the center of the hole and use the backfill from your hole to fill in around the tree until all the roots are covered.

Water with low pressure on the hose and let the water drip slowly over the covered rootball. An irrigation system may not apply the necessary amount of water to a newly planted tree and should not be relied on as the sole source of watering. The tree needs to be checked on a daily or every other day basis to determine watering needs. Soil that feels moist and holds together when squeezed doesn't need water. Overwatering drives air from the soil, causing root suffocation. Frequent, light watering promotes shallow root development and this is not a good thing.

 Add a 3-4 inch layer of mulch and be diligent about caring for your tree.  Keep mowers and weed whackers away from the trunk of the tree and if possible keep grass away from the base of the tree until the tree's root system is established so there is no competition for water and nutrients.

Go plant a tree and you let us know how you did!

Ding, ding, ding!  Round two in the vegetable garden has quickly approached (where did summer go?) and it's time to refresh your soil and get those cool season veggies in the ground.   Yep, that's right, Southern gardening rocks because we get two, sometimes three, planting opportunities a year, which means homegrown, fresh veggies on your dinner table an extra few months!

Here in the Low Country we are in the Coastal region of South Carolina which means, due to our warmer weather, we have earlier planting times in the spring and later planting times in the fall than the rest of the state.  Because a vegetable needs either warm or cool weather, crops sort themselves into two distinct categories: cool season (for spring and fall) and warm season (for summer). Planting in the proper season is the first step to a bountiful garden. Cool weather crops begin planting in mid-August through October.  

In fall, there are two types of vegetables, hardy and semi-hardy.  Hardy vegetables tolerate hard frosts where temperatures dip around 25-28 degrees Fahrenheit.  A few of these vegetables include kale, spinach and collards and they all taste best when the temps are cooler. Semi-hardy vegetables can handle light frosts (temps around 29-32 degrees) and a few of these include beets, leafy greens for salads and cauliflower.  The first frost date in our area is around November 16-30 so this should give you an idea of exactly how long you can expect to harvest the more tender vegetables.

If you are new to vegetable gardening and fall is going to be your first crop, there are a few things you need to know before you create that perfect patch for your fall vegetables.  First, choose a site that receives six hours of sun all year long.  You'll need that amount of sun for those spring vegetables like peppers and tomatoes.  Fall crops tend to do well with a little less sun, especially because most fall plantings are leafy greens that don't particularly care for a blazing hot sun for long periods of time. 

Just like planting a tree, soil preparation is key to a successful garden.  Most of our backyards don't have perfect soil and vary from clay to sandy looms.  The key is to add lots of organic matter to the soil and turn it over or till it once to mix it in well and create a loose, healthy soil.  Organic material causes the soil to remain loose, oxygen rich, and hold more moisture, trace elements, and nutrients, helping to feed your plants for the long haul.

You will probably have to plant your fall crop in two stages.  One will be plants that need to go in the ground now, such as broccoli, kale, collards and cabbage.  The other will be most of your leafy greens such as spinach and lettuce that prefer cooler temperatures and should be planted in October.  Clemson Extension has an excellent planting guide that serves as great resource as to exactly when each vegetable should be planted.

Fall vegetable gardens don't need as much water as the summer ones because the temperatures are cooler.  Watering two or three times per week is usually enough and even less if Mother Nature lends a hand.  Add some fertilizer, a basic 10-10-10 will work.

You have heard us say many times, "You need to amend your soil before you plant," and for as many times as we've said it, we've gotten equally as many eye rolls from our customers.  C'mon, you know you've done it!  The soil is your plants home and there is an entire ecosystem at work beneath the surface that affects what we see above it.  We need to care for what is below the ground so that what we see above is beautiful, colorful, lush and long lasting.  We are going to keep beating that drum until everyone understands why amending your soil so important to the success of your gardens and the longevity of your plants.