TRANSPLANTING EVERGREENS

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 768, 14 September 1929, Page 32

TRANSPLANTING EVERGREENS

BEAUTIFY YOUR GARDEN The two periods at wjgich choice' evergreens can be successfully moved are late autumn and early spring. At both these seasons the roots are in an active state, and likely quickly to take hold of the soil in the new quarters. Naturally, it is necessary to wait until rains have soaked the soil 1 before lifting any particularly subject, or, in the event of dry weather, to saturate -the ground around it with the hose, doing this several days in succession. A good preparation can be made for a solitary shrub by taking out a much larger and deeper hole than is really necessary, putting a spit of good soil, trodden Tirm into the bottom of the hole, ana setting the shrub on this. Such a method also gives at«ieast a foot of moved soil all round for the new roots to permeate. The work of lifting the shrubs should be carefully done, so that a large ball of soil tilled with fibrous roots can be carried to the new positipn. This is done by commencing the digging some way from the stem, and working well under the stock to be moved. As a guide, the ball of soil and roots should be nearly as wide as the branches spread. Wrapping some old sacks or canvas round the ball and tying firmly will greatly assist in keeping the soil and roots together. When the shrub is put in position for planting, it should be at about, the level at which it previously stood. There is danger of killing it if it is buried too deeply. Should the subsoil be of a rough or indifferent nature, it is best to discard it, filling in around the shrub with better material. Some choice things require a special soil, though the ordinary run of evergreens are not fastidious. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and all so-called American shrubs like a peaty soil, but they will often flourish in light loam, enriched with leaf mould. The soil should be well trodden as the shrubs are planted, and where it is light and moderately dry it is well to give it a good ramming. Watering after planting should only be resorted to in the case of an unusually dry spell of weather, and then one water should suffice. Staking should be carefully done if the shrubs are tall enough to be swayed about by the wind. Constant movement prevents the roots from taking hold of the soil.