Trees
Planting Instructions for Your New Black Hills Garden Tree
Congratulations on your purchase from Black Hills Gardens! We have selected hardy, resilient stock specifically for our South Dakota climate. The key to successful planting is getting the depth right, managing water correctly, and handling the time of year appropriately.
These directions apply to the container-grown trees we sell, such as Bur Oak, Amur Maple, Cottonwood, and River Birch, which are well-suited for the varied soils of our region (from clay to sandy loam).
The Universal Planting Method (Year-Round)
Follow these four steps whenever you plant your tree:
- Dig Wide, Not Deep: Dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the container or root ball, but only just as deep as the root ball. The top of the roots must be level with or slightly above the existing ground level. Planting too deep is the most common mistake!
- Remove the Pot and Untangle Roots: Carefully slide the tree out of the pot. If the roots are tightly coiled around the inside (root-bound), gently tease them apart or make a few shallow vertical cuts down the root ball with a knife. This encourages roots to grow outward into the new soil.
- Backfill and Water In: Fill the hole gently with the soil you removed (amendments are rarely necessary if the tree is right for the location). Once the hole is half-full, water thoroughly to settle the soil and remove air pockets. Finish filling the hole and water again deeply.
- Mulch is Mandatory: Create a “donut” of mulch 2 to 4 inches deep around the base of the tree, extending as far as the widest branches. Keep the mulch 2 inches away from the trunk itself to prevent rot. This regulates soil temperature and moisture.
Seasonal Planting Guide for the Black Hills
The timing of your planting affects how much initial attention the tree needs. Here is a guide based on the time of year you bought your tree:
| Season of Purchase | Initial Planting Instructions | Post-Planting Care & Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April – June) | Follow the steps above immediately. Water every day for the first week, then every other day for the next month (unless significant rain occurs). | Expect vigorous new leaf growth and flowers/fruit if applicable (e.g., Crabapple). Focus on consistent watering through summer heat. |
| Summer (July – August) | Plant immediately. This is the hardest time to plant due to heat stress. Water daily and deeply for the first month. Consider a temporary shade cloth for the first two weeks. | Monitor closely for wilting. Summer-planted trees need consistent deep watering until the ground freezes. |
| Fall (Sept – Nov) | Follow planting steps. Water every other day for two weeks, then deeply once a week until the ground freezes hard. | Excellent time to plant. Roots will grow until the ground freezes. Apply a thick layer of winter mulch in late Nov/Dec. |
| Winter (Dec – March) | Plant only if the ground is not frozen solid. If frozen, store the potted tree in an unheated garage and plant immediately in spring thaw. | If planted, water deeply during mid-winter thaws. Protect bark from sunscald (e.g., on Maples) with a tree wrap. |
Watering Checklist: The Golden Rule
- Year 1: Your main goal is deep, consistent watering that reaches the entire new root zone.
- Touch Test: The best way to know if you need to water is to stick your finger 2 inches into the soil. If it’s dry, water. If it’s moist, wait.
- Slow and Deep: Water slowly with a hose at the base of the tree for a few minutes rather than a quick spray from above.
We want your tree to thrive! If you have any questions about specific soil types or tree varieties (like the unique root systems of our Willows), please contact us directly!
Shrubs
Planting Instructions for Your New Black Hills Garden Shrub
Congratulations on your new shrub from Black Hills Gardens! We specialize in tough, climate-appropriate stock specifically chosen for South Dakota’s weather. The key to success is planting depth, proper water management, and handling the time of year correctly.
These directions apply to the container-grown shrubs we sell, such as Lilacs, Hydrangeas, Weigelas, and edible berry bushes, which thrive in the varied soils of our region.
The Universal Shrub Planting Method (Year-Round)
Follow these four steps whenever you plant your shrub:
- Dig Wide, Not Deep: Dig a hole that is two to three times as wide as the container or root ball, but only just as deep as the root ball itself. The top of the roots should be level with or slightly above the existing ground line. Planting too deep is the most common mistake for shrubs!
- Remove the Pot and Loosen Roots: Carefully slide the shrub out of its pot. If the roots are tightly coiled around the inside, gently tease them apart or make a few shallow vertical cuts down the root ball with a knife. This encourages roots to grow outward into the new soil.
- Backfill and Water In: Gently refill the hole with the soil you removed. When the hole is about half full, water thoroughly to settle the soil and remove any large air pockets. Finish filling the hole and water again deeply until the water soaks in slowly.
- Mulch is Mandatory: Apply a “donut” of organic mulch (compost, shredded leaves, bark chips) 2 to 4 inches deep around the base of the shrub. Extend the mulch out to the width of the branches. Keep the mulch a few inches away from the central stems/crown to prevent rot and pest issues.
Seasonal Planting Guide for the Black Hills
The timing of your planting affects how much initial attention the shrub needs. Here is a guide based on the time of year you bought your shrub:
| Season of Purchase | Initial Planting Instructions | Post-Planting Care & Expectations |
|---|---|---|
| Spring (April – June) | Follow the steps above immediately. Water daily for the first week, then every other day for the next month (unless heavy rain occurs). | Expect rapid growth and a beautiful display of flowers (e.g., Spirea, Forsythia, Lilacs). Focus on consistent watering through summer heat. |
| Summer (July – August) | Plant immediately. This is the hardest time to plant due to heat stress. Water daily and deeply for the first month. Avoid planting during a heat wave if possible. | Monitor closely for wilting. Summer-planted shrubs need consistent deep watering until the ground freezes. |
| Fall (Sept – Nov) | Excellent time to plant. Water every other day for two weeks, then deeply once a week until the ground freezes hard. | Roots will establish well into fall. Apply a thick layer of winter mulch in late Nov/Dec to protect the roots from frost heaving. |
| Winter (Dec – March) | Plant only if the ground is soft enough to dig. If frozen, store the potted shrub in an unheated garage or cluster pots together and mulch heavily until spring thaw. | If planted, water during mid-winter thaws. Add extra mulch for insulation against the cold ground temperatures. |
Watering Checklist: The Golden Rule
- Year 1: Your main goal is deep, consistent watering that encourages roots to grow outward and downward.
- Touch Test: The best way to know if you need to water is to stick your finger 2 inches into the soil under the mulch. If it’s dry, water. If it’s moist, wait.
- Slow and Deep: Water slowly at the base for several minutes with a hose rather than a quick spray from above.