How To Plant Shrubs: A Step-by-Step Guide For Lush And Healthy Growth

Shrubs make a wonderful addition to any garden, offering options that fit various spaces and locations. There's a vast selection available, from popular flowering varieties like roses and lavender to evergreens such as holly, and even fruit-bearing shrubs like gooseberries and blueberries. Most shrubs are low-maintenance and beneficial for wildlife. Interestingly, they are also quite simple to cultivate. If you're thinking about adding shrubs to your home garden, we’ve provided a comprehensive guide below to help you get started.

How To Plant Shrubs: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients Needed For Planting Shrubs

Here are the essential ingredients you'll need to grow shrubs in your home garden:

• Shrub: Select a healthy shrub that suits your garden's conditions.
• Soil: Use well-draining soil; you may need to enrich it with compost if it's too heavy or sandy.
• Water: For soaking the roots and watering the shrub after planting.
• Mulch: Use organic materials like wood chips, bark, or straw to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
• Fertiliser (Optional): A balanced or shrub-specific fertiliser for added nutrients if necessary.

Step-by-Step Guide For Growing Shrubs At Home

We reached out to Swaminathan, a local gardener from a nursery in Dwarka, who provided us with an in-depth guide on how to cultivate shrubs at home.

1) Select the Right Shrub

Choose: Pick a shrub that matches your garden’s climate, soil type, and light exposure.

2) Prepare the Planting Area

Clear the Space: Remove weeds, grass, and other debris from the area.

Dig the Hole: Make the hole twice as wide and as deep as the root ball of the shrub.

3) Prepare the Shrub

Remove from Container: Gently take the shrub out of its pot and loosen any tightly bound roots if needed.

Soak the Roots (Optional): If the roots are dry, soak them in water for 15-30 minutes.

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4) Plant the Shrub

Position the Shrub: Place the shrub in the centre of the hole, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with or slightly above the surrounding soil.

Backfill the Hole: Fill in the hole with the excavated soil, pressing down gently as you go. Water lightly to remove air pockets.

5) Water the Shrub

Water Thoroughly: After planting, provide a deep watering to help the soil settle and support root establishment and apply mulch.

Spread Mulch: Add a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the base, leaving a small gap around the stem to prevent rot. Mulch helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

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6) Maintain the Shrub

Water Regularly: Keep the soil consistently moist, particularly during the first growing season.

Prune as Necessary: Remove any dead or damaged branches to promote healthy growth.

Fertilise (Optional): Apply a balanced fertiliser in the spring if required.

By following these guidelines and using the right ingredients, you will be able to successfully plant and care for shrubs in your garden.

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Credits: Freepik