This is the time of the year when customers often ask us if it is too late to plant trees, shrubs and perennials. The short answer is a definite — no, it’s not too late to plant!

Success with summer plantings is easy to achieve. Trees, shrubs and perennials have the same needs whether it is spring, summer or fall, and following a few simple steps we have found for Sacramento homeowners that will ensure your success.

Proper planting technique, adequate but not excessive water, adequate but not excessive sunlight, and adequate but not excessive nutrients are all you need to provide your new landscape plants whether it is spring, summer, or fall. It is just as easy to do in summer as at other times.

When you plant, root prune potted plants aggressively, cutting through matted roots on the outside of the root ball many times on the sides and bottom. This will allow many new roots to quickly shoot out into the surrounding soil, providing much faster establishment and far better long term vigor.

Plant no deeper than the level the tree, shrub or perennial was growing in the pot or field, and make a circular dike of soil an inch or two high around each plant. Place one to two inches of mulch over the dike to keep it from washing away during the first year when the plant is becoming established.

The dike will assure that the small amounts of water you provide everyday or every other day during the first two to three months will soak directly down into the root ball, providing adequate, but not excessive moisture. By making this small dike around each plant, it takes only a few seconds a day to water each plant by hand. As a result, most planting projects will require only a few minutes a day to keep adequately watered.

The easiest way to provide adequate, but not excessive nutrition is to mix a handful or two of slow release fertilizer in with the soil you dug out of the planting hole. Dig the hole 2-3 times the width of the root ball. Backfill with the soil/fertilizer mix, and use the excess soil to make your dike around the plant. Timed release fertilizer can be compost you make yourself, or purchase, or a time release granular formulation purchased off the shelf here at the nursery. Another easy way to fertilize is to put Miracle Grow in your watering water once every two weeks.

Avoid putting sunny area plants in heavy shade and shady area plants in lots of direct sun. Generally speaking, sunny area plants need three to four hours or more of direct sunlight per day, and shady area plants may do best if they receive only one to three hours of direct sunlight. Ask a sales person for assistance on this.

By following these simple steps your summer planting projects will be a satisfying success and your plain June yard can become a beautiful place to relax and enjoy. Don’t wait until next year to get started!

Every additional day that your plants can be growing new roots this year, is preparation the plants make for vibrant growth next year. Get those trees, shrubs and perennials in the ground today and let the enjoyment begin.

Green Valley Nursery has a large selection of hardy plants and trees. Come visit us to see our fresh and vigorous plants.