Planting & Care

WHEN YOUR PLANTS ARRIVE

1. Open the box right away and stand the trays upright.

2. Water them well.

3. Keep them in a bright, sheltered spot (not hot afternoon sun) until you plant, ideally within a few days.

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PREPARE THE SITE

• Remove lawn and weeds first, by smothering with cardboard for a season or digging out the sod.

• No need to add fertilizer or compost; natives prefer lean soil.

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PLANTING

1. Lay out the plugs on the ground using your planting plan before digging.

2. Space plugs about 1.5 ft apart (a 38-plug kit covers about 100 sq ft).

3. Dig a hole as deep as the plug, set the plant so the top of the root ball is level with the soil, and firm the soil around it.

4. Water deeply right after planting.

5. Mulch lightly with 1 to 2 inches of shredded leaves or wood, keeping it away from the stems.

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FIRST-YEAR CARE

• Water about once a week if there's no soaking rain, through the first season.

• Pull weeds while they're small; this matters most in year one.

• Protect from rabbits and deer if they're common in your yard.

• Don't panic if plants look small. They're building roots.

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YEAR TWO AND BEYOND

• Leave stems standing over winter for birds and overwintering insects; cut back in spring once temperatures stay above 50°F.

• Most natives need no watering or fertilizer once established.

• Expect self-seeders (black-eyed Susan, lobelias, columbine) to move around.