Planting time
The planting time is dependent on the tree species and the type of planting material. A general rule for all plants is that both periods of frost and periods of heavy rain should be avoided. When the soil is frozen, there is an increased risk of the roots dehydrating. During wet periods the soil structure deteriorates leading to oxygen deficiency, which can cause the plant to drown.
The planting times below are indicative and will differ each year depending on the weather and the type of plant.
Bare root
Bare root plants are plants that are sold without soil around the roots. These are usually deciduous trees and plants such as forest species, hedging plants and several species of young trees. The roots are far more susceptible to dehydration and extra care must be taken during transport and replanting. Bare root plants must always be planted during the winter dormancy period. This is often when they have dropped all their leaves. This period runs on average from November to April.
Root ball
Young shrubs and bushes are often planted with root ball. The plants are removed from the ground together with the soil around the roots, and the root ball wrapped in a burlap sack for protection. The shock of replanting is smaller compared with bare root plants, and the risk of dehydration is reduced. On average, plants with root ball can be planted from mid-October to late April.
Wired root ball
Large trees and solitary shrubs are removed from the ground with root ball, which is wrapped in a burlap sack. The root ball with sack is extra protected with a wire basket. On average, the planting time runs from late September to May. For logistical reasons it is sometimes necessary to plant the tree outside this period. By placing your order in good time, these trees with root ball can be drip irrigated in the nursery during the planting season. This enables these trees to be planted after the month of May.
Evergreen species
For the planting time of evergreen trees, we divide these into two categories: the leaf-wood trees and the conifers.Even in the winter, evergreen leaf-wood trees lose water through evaporation. When these are planted with root ball, the best planting time is during the spring. Evergreen leaf-wood trees are highly frost-sensitive; therefore, these species should never be planted during periods of frost.
In contrast, the ideal planting time for evergreen conifers is early September. They will then generate new roots for the winter. Sequoias are an exception to this; the best time to plant these is after the period of strong easterly winds, in the second half of April.
Container
Trees, shrubs and bushes in containers can be planted at any time of the year. The same applies to perennial plants and ornamental grasses. Nevertheless, their availability of the ornamental grasses is greater between October and May. It is better to plant frost-sensitive species after the winter.
