Plant-buying boos-boos can happen to anyone. In many cases, people don't realize their mistakes until it's too late.
Gardening by the Yard host Paul James reviews several common plant-buying mistakes and offers tips on avoiding them:
Improper Transportation Home
Buying a whole bunch of plants and trying to stuff them into a small car is a mistake because a few plants will inevitably wind up being damaged, with their natural shape perhaps permanently destroyed. No matter how well they're secured or how carefully you drive, chances are your plants will get banged up, and placing plants in the trunk is out of the question. Also, making stops between the nursery and home may cook the plants if they are left inside the car.
The simplest solution is to have the nursery deliver the plants to your door. Most nurseries will deliver for a nominal charge, and for a good customer they may deliver for free.
Another alternative is to borrow a pickup truck, but that can create a whole new set of problems. In the open bed of a pickup a load of plants can shift, causing damage to the plants. The wind can dry plants in no time and tear or even knock the leaves off. James says the trick is knowing how to load a truck, and he provides the following pointers:
- Place plants toward the front of the bed because there is less wind closer to the cab. Secure the plants with a special bar that prevents loads from shifting, or buy a few bags of compost or mulch every time you buy plants; use the bags to secure the plants.
- In the case of trees and shrubs, it's best to place them on their side, securing them with a heavy bag of compost or mulch. That way they won't get whipped by the wind. Go straight home with a bed full of botanicals because they will dry out quickly in the sun and wind.
Improper Care at Home
Once home with your plants, it's best to get them in the ground right away; sometimes, however, that's not possible because of bad weather and busy schedules. James provides the following pointers to help plants survive until they are planted:
- Separate sun-loving plants from those that prefer shade. If you have any doubts, place the plants in question in the shade group. Place the sun-loving plants on the ground in an area that gets only a few hours of morning sun.
- Place the shade-tolerant plants in an area that's in full shade. Don't place the plants on a paved surface such as a sidewalk or driveway because reflected heat will dry them out quickly. Keep the plants well-watered, but don't overwater them. In most cases it's better to let plants wilt a bit from lack of water than to keep them constantly wet.
- Don't leave the plants in their holding area for more than a week or so. Before you bought the plants, they were tended every day. Chances are you're not going to have time to give them that kind of attention, so get them in the ground as soon as possible.
Buying Plants on a Whim
Many people buy plants because they're unusual or pretty, then don't know what to do with them once they get their new purchases home.
Try to go to the nursery with a plan or design in mind--or even on paper.
Relying Too Much on Plant Tags
Some of the information on plant tags is good, but when it comes to topics such as exposure and hardiness, labels can be misleading.
Rather than rely on tags, take the time to ask the staff at your local nursery for more precise information on how plants will grow in your area.
A final plant-buying tip: Once you've put your new plants in their permanent homes, return the plastic pots to the nursery for recycling. If your nursery doesn't accept used pots for recycling, find someone who will.
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