Site Preparation
Location
Select a site that suits your
plants' light requirements. Plants labeled
as "full sun" require at least 4 to 6 hours
of sun daily. Those labeled as "partial
sun" do well in dappled sunlight. Plants
that prefer "full shade" perform best in
locations that receive very little direct
sunlight.
Drainage
Plants appreciate moist, not
soggy, soil. If your soil is heavy or claylike,
improve it by mixing in organic
matter such as peat moss, dehydrated
manure or sand.
Soil Acidity
Plants can't absorb the
nutrients they need if the soil does not
have the proper pH level. While most
plants prefer a neutral soil (pH 6.5-7.0),
plants such as azaleas and blueberries
require an acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.0). You
can test your soil's pH yourself using a
soil test kit or contact your county or
state agriculture extension service.
Loosening the Soil
Loosen the soil
before planting. For perennials and bulbs,
loosen the soil 3 times the width and
the height of the pot/root system and for
trees and shrubs at least 11⁄2 -2 times.
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