In this guide, we walk you through the basics of how to plant a tree, with tips to ensure you give it the TLC it needs to thrive – from watering and staking, to mulching and other aftercare steps to take.

Ready to explore, step by step, how to plant a tree in South Africa? You’re in the right place.

How to choose the right tree for your garden

Carefully selecting a tree for your garden is one of the most important steps of tree planting in South Africa. There are a few reasons for this:

Size matters

If you have a smallish garden, a tree that grows to a mature height of 10 metre is probably not the best choice. Ask a horticulturist at one of our garden centres to guide you on how big you can expect a tree to grow before buying it.

Roots and all

Consider the type of soil in your garden, as this will determine which types of tree are likely to thrive and quickly develop roots there. The three main types of soil common in South African gardens are sandy, clay and loam soils.

• For a garden with sandy soil, trees whose root systems need good drainage and aeration, and don’t demand high nutrient content are best suited.

• If your garden has clay soil, it can support trees whose roots need soil with good water retention and minimal aeration.
  
• Gardens with loam soil (the ideal balance) retain more water than those with sandy soil, without becoming water-logged. This type of soil is rich in nutrients, ideal for trees that especially need this.

If you want to plant your tree next to a wall or paving, it’s best to choose a tree with a non-invasive root system.

For households with little ones, you may want to avoid a tree with thorns. With that said, thorns can be an advantage if used as an extra security provision if the tree is planted next to a boundary wall.

Read this guide for some easy-to-grow tree options for beginners.

Soil prep for clay vs sandy soils

This is an important consideration, as it determines whether you need to use compost, bonemeal and mulch when planting trees.

Because clay soil is made up of fine particles that compact easily, it’s important to work in some organic matter like compost to improve the soil’s aeration so that your tree’s roots can grow freely and access the moisture and nutrients they need to establish themselves.

On the other hand, sandy soil has good drainage, but also comes with the downside of poor nutrient retention. Incorporating organic matter like compost will act like a sponge in the soil, increasing its ability to retain moisture and nutrients.

How big should the planting hole be?

Dig a shallow, wide planting hole (three times wider than deep).

Up to 80% of a tree’s roots spread out in the top metre of soil. Most of the tree’s roots are shallow and they need good aeration and water. If they are trapped too far down, they can suffocate.

Another danger of planting a tree in a hole that is too deep is that the bark gets covered with the moist soil and it, too, can suffocate and rot.

Step-by-step how to plant a tree in South Africa

Follow these steps once the planting hole has been prepared:

Step 1: Handle the tree with care. Pick it up by the base, and not the trunk. The trunk flare (the base of the tree where the roots spread out) should be visible after the tree has been placed in the hole.

Step 2: Before placing the tree root ball in the centre of the planting hole, gently loosen the roots. Trees in containers often become ‘root-bound’, with roots circling the inside of the pot. If planted this way, the roots will continue to grow in a circle and eventually ‘girdle’ the trunk, choking off the flow of water and nutrients.

Once you have placed the loosened root ball in the planting hole, fill the hole with the ‘native soil’ that you dug out (with some organic matter incorporated into it, if necessary). Take care not to let air pockets form. To prevent air pockets, add a third of the soil, water well, allow the water to drain and add another layer, continuing until the soil is finished.

Steps 3: Stake the tree on both sides, if necessary.

Step 4: Place mulch around the tree, but keep the mulch at least 3 centimetres from the bark of the tree.

How much water does a new tree need?

Most expertise suggest watering your tree once a week to help it settle into its new home and flourish.

Ready to pick a tree perfect for your garden?

With this guide, you have the basics in place to plant a tree and bring hours of joy to your time in the garden. Remember that you always have expert help on hand with our expert consultants in-store. Browse our selection of trees online* (*Western Cape only), or check out our range in-store.

For help planting your tree, why not try our consultants-on-call service? Ensure the best choice of tree for your garden, and expert guidance for the best results by booking a session.

The post Rooted in Success: Plant Your First Tree This Arbour Week appeared first on Stodels.

What is the best fruit tree for beginners? 

Ideally, you’re looking for low-maintenance, disease-resistant, high-reward and fast-growing trees. So get yourself a pear tree. This hardy fruit tree tolerates the varying climates across South Africa and is generally disease-resistant. 

The fig tree is another easy fruit tree: it’s extremely disease-resistant and low-maintenance and can easily yield an abundance of fruit. The trickiest part will be getting to the ripe fruit before the birds!

What is the best fruit tree for a show-stopping garden?

There’s a reason tourists flock to Japan in early spring! Cherry trees are considered to be some of the most beautiful flowering trees – and their fruit is extremely tasty too! Bonus: they’re easy to grow and can be grown in smaller spaces and containers. 

What’s the best fruit tree to get the kids involved in growing? 

Here, you’re typically looking for rapid-growing trees that are low-maintenance and will produce a high yield for a long period of time. While not technically a tree, a passion fruit (or granadilla) vine is a highly rewarding plant for kids. The vines climb rapidly and kids will enjoy tracking their growth every day. Their flowers are beautiful and mysterious, and they can bear fruit within the first season of planting.

Will fruit trees attract wildlife to my garden?

Fruit trees are a sure way to attract a variety of wildlife to your garden – both beneficial and otherwise! The blossoms of cherry, apple and peach trees will attract bees while the fruit of fig, pear and plum trees will attract a variety of birdlife (which you may end up competing with for the fruit!) and, depending on your location, squirrels, monkeys and baboons.  

How to plant your fruit tree

The fruit tree-growing process isn’t all that different from the process of growing other types of trees. Getting the steps right means your tree will thrive and produce an abundance of fruit. Keep in mind that these are general planting guidelines; specific fruit trees may have specific requirements, so do some quick research before putting down roots. 

Some tips to remember when planting trees: 

• Dig a square hole measuring about 60×60 cm instead of a deep cylinder. This will encourage tree-root growth and healthy plant growth. 
• Add necessary nutrients (compost and fertiliser) to the hole, but don’t go overboard – and ensure that you mix it in with existing soil when you fill the hole after planting. Remember: the roots will spread beyond the hole and nutrient-enriched soil, and you don’t want to suddenly shock the roots with soil that’s different in composition. 
• Tickle the tree roots to loosen the root ball. This will encourage healthy early tree growth.
• Stake the tree to prevent wind damage. 
• Watering new trees is essential – continue to water regularly until it’s established. 

How to plant fruit trees in pots

If your space is limited, it doesn’t mean you should cross fruit trees off your gardening wish list. Grow them in pots – there are a number of varieties that will thrive. The mini or dwarf varieties typically grow very well in containers. Apple, pear, orange, lemon, stone fruit, fig and cherry trees are all fruit trees that grow well in pots. 

Size matters! Plant trees in the biggest possible container that your space and budget allows. The bigger the space the roots have to grow, the bigger the tree and harvest will be. 

Remember to water and feed your potted fruit tree regularly, especially in the flowering season! If the soil dries out, the tree will lose its blossoms and your bounty will be gone. 

Where to plant fruit trees

Most fruit trees require full sun – that’s eight hours of direct light a day – in a sheltered position: growing trees don’t enjoy wind (just like us!). 

Also remember to think ahead: plant trees in a location where they have space to grow – and bear fruit! And keep in mind that fruit trees drop fruit – you don’t want to be fishing guavas out of your swimming pool or sweeping peaches away from your front door! 

Is one fruit tree enough?

Before buying your favourite fruit tree, check its pollination requirements. Some fruit trees are self-fertilising (we’re looking at you, peaches and cherries!). This means that the bees that visit your tree will pollinate it as they fly from blossom to blossom. Other trees – like apple, pear and avo – all need a partner plant nearby to assist with pollination. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in your garden, just in the vicinity. Peek over your wall to see if your neighbour has a partner for your new sapling.  

Ready for your first fruit tree? Head to your local Stodels Garden Centre to pick it out. And remember to chat to our friendly garden experts. They’ll be able to answer all your questions and give you important nuggets on planting and growing trees that you didn’t know you needed!

Here are more helpful articles to help you and your growing trees:

• How to care for your sapling
• Tree planting tips

The post Your Guide to Growing Fruit Trees appeared first on Stodels.

WHAT ARE INDIGENOUS TREES? 

A tree, or plant, is indigenous to a region or an area if it grew and evolved there through natural processes. Benefits of planting indigenous varieties include the fact that it is often much hardier and more attractive to the local wildlife.  

SOME OF OUR FAVOURITE SOUTH AFRICAN INDIGENOUS VARIETIES:  

The Kei Apple (Dovyalis caffra): This small indigenous evergreen tree has glossy green leaves and long, sharp thorns, making it an excellent choice for boundary walls where you require extra security. If you plant both a male and a female plant in your garden, you’ll be rewarded with bright yellow fruit in February. The fruit is delicious and attractive.  

The Tree Wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus): A wisteria is one of the prettiest of spring-flowering trees and likes a sunny spot with well-draining soil. It is a deciduous tree that can reach a height of up to 7m and produces attractive pea-shaped mauve flowers in spring and summer. 

The Fever Tree (Vachellia xanthophloea): This fast-growing indigenous tree grows 12–15m tall, with an 8–10m wide spread, so it’s perfect for gardens with lots of room. The smooth bark is a bright yellow-green and birds love nesting in its branches while butterflies are attracted to the yellow fluffy blossoms that appear in spring and early summer. 

Bladdernut or Swartbas (Diospyros whyteana): This tree has a neat growth habit, glossy dark green leaves and small white bell-shaped flowers in spring, followed by fruit enclosed in papery cases that attract birds. It grows in semi-shade or full sun and is an excellent tree for a small garden. It can also be grown as a shrub and makes an attractive bonsai. 

Fuchsia (Halleria lucida): This tree makes an attractive feature tree in the garden, with a height and spread of 5m. Orange-red flowers grow on the older wood of the main trunk and larger branches and they attract sunbirds and bees. 

DISCOVER THE FOLLOWING SOUTH AFRICAN INDIGENOUS TREES AT YOUR LOCAL STODELS: 

Western Cape branches 

• Forest bushwillow (Combretum kraussii) 
• Butterspoon tree (Cunonia capensis) 
• Camphor bush (Tarchonanthus camphoratus) 
• White karee (Searsia pendulina) 
• Weeping wattle (Peltophorum africanum) 
• Sneezewood tree (Ptaeroxylon obliquum) 
• Waterberry (Syzygium cordatum) 
• Sycamore fig (Ficus sycomorus) 
• White stinkwood (Celtis africana) 

Centurion branch 

• River bushwillow (Combretum erythrophyllum) 
• Fever tree (Vachellia xanthophloea) 
• African holly (Ilex mitis) 
• False olive (Buddleja saligna) 
• Karee (Searsia lancea) 
• Tree wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus) 
• Henkel’s yellowwood (Podocarpus henkelii) 
• Cape Ash (Ekebergia capensis) 
• Weeping boer-bean (Schotia brachypetala) 
• Zulu cherry-orange (Teclea gerrardii) 
• Yellowwood (Podocarpus latifolius) 
• Tree fuchsia (Halleria lucida) 
• White stinkwood (Celtis africana) 
• Wild plum (Harpephyllum caffrum) 
• Natal Mahogany (Trichilia dregeana) 
• Forest elder (Nuxia floribunda) 

The post A guide to South African indigenous trees appeared first on Stodels.

Don’t worry, trees can be easier to care for than many leafy or flowering plants. Here are five trees that are perfect for first-timers. What can we say, they’re tree-riffic!

POMPON TREE (DAIS COTINIFOLIA)

The pompon tree is a beautiful indigenous tree. A relatively fast grower – and frost-tolerant – it’s particularly popular in Johannesburg and surrounds, and for good reason. While it can grow to a height of over 8m, it’s usually in the region of 6–8m, making it a perfect choice for a smaller garden too.

Why we love it: The flurry of pink flowers in summer will have you longing to spend time outdoors.

Read more: The best trees for small gardens

TREE WISTERIA (BOLUSANTHUS SPECIOSUS)

Think of the Tree Wisteria as a local alternative to the exotic jacaranda, giving you beautiful mauve flowers in spring, but at a fraction of the size. Generally considered a small- to medium-sized tree, it grows at a medium pace and so needs a little patience, but you’ll definitely be rewarded!

Why we love it: It has a garden-friendly root system and so won’t be overly aggressive towards existing plants.

Read more: Tree-planting tips

CAPE HOLLY (ILEX MITIS)

The Cape holly is a compact tree with dense, dark green foliage and a beautifully pale and sturdy trunk. It’s a medium-paced grower, so you’ll need to give it some time – but it’s a beautiful addition to any garden.

Why we love it: Its edible red berries will help encourage an abundance of birdlife in your garden too.

WHITE PEAR (APODYTES DIMIDIATA)

This is a lovely addition to your garden that will bring with it the subtle fragrance of fresh coconuts. White pear is well suited to small gardens and will generally grow to between 6 and 8m tall. Just give it some time.

Why we love them: Its dark, evergreen leaves make it a great option for adding privacy to a garden – and can even make a dense hedge if properly pruned.

LAVENDER TREE (HETEROPYXIS NATALENSIS)

The bad news first: the lavender tree is a slow grower. But, with its pale bark and beautiful shape, it’s still one of our favourites.

Why we love it: It’s not only a great option for first-time tree owners, it’s perfect for smaller gardens too.

The post Ready to branch out and buy your first tree? 5 easy-to-grow trees for beginners appeared first on Stodels.

Don’t worry, trees can be easier to care for than many leafy or flowering plants. Here are five trees that are perfect for first-timers. What can we say, they’re tree-riffic!

Pompon tree (Dais cotinifolia)

The pompon tree is a beautiful indigenous tree. A relatively fast grower – and frost-tolerant – it’s particularly popular in Johannesburg and surrounds, and for good reason. While it can grow to a height of over 8m, it’s usually in the region of 6–8m, making it a perfect choice for a smaller garden too. 

Why we love it: The flurry of pink flowers in summer will have you longing to spend time outdoors.

Read more: The best trees for small gardens

Tree Wisteria (Bolusanthus speciosus)

Think of the Tree Wisteria as a local alternative to the exotic jacaranda, giving you beautiful mauve flowers in spring, but at a fraction of the size. Generally considered a small- to medium-sized tree, it grows at a medium pace and so needs a little patience, but you’ll definitely be rewarded!

Why we love it: It has a garden-friendly root system and so won’t be overly aggressive towards existing plants. 

Read more: Tree-planting tips

Cape holly (Ilex mitis)

The Cape holly is a compact tree with dense, dark green foliage and a beautifully pale and sturdy trunk. It’s a medium-paced grower, so you’ll need to give it some time – but it’s a beautiful addition to any garden.

Why we love it: Its edible red berries will help encourage an abundance of birdlife in your garden too.

White pear (Apodytes dimidiata)

This is a lovely addition to your garden that will bring with it the subtle fragrance of fresh coconuts. White pear is well suited to small gardens and will generally grow to between 6 and 8m tall. Just give it some time. 

Why we love them: Its dark, evergreen leaves make it a great option for adding privacy to a garden – and can even make a dense hedge if properly pruned.

Lavender tree (Heteropyxis natalensis)

The bad news first: the lavender tree is a slow grower. But, with its pale bark and beautiful shape, it’s still one of our favourites. 

Why we love it: It’s not only a great option for first-time tree owners, it’s perfect for smaller gardens too.

The post Ready to branch out and buy your first tree? 5 easy-to-grow trees for beginners appeared first on Stodels.

If your garden needs some sprucing up, head for your local Stodels, choose your favourite tree (remember, local is lekker!) and follow this guide to caring for your new tree sapling.

Tips for selecting your young tree

• Prioritise your needs. Do you want evergreen foliage, shade or a tree that will attract birds to your garden?
• Take a closer look. Look for a sapling that is free of any pests or fungal diseases.
• Size doesn’t matter. Choose a shorter tree with sturdy lower branches over tall, spindly saplings – it will be less likely to topple over once you plant it.
• Gently does it. Avoid picking it up by the trunk and provide some barrier protection when transporting it so that it doesn’t get “windburn”.

Drought-tolerant trees to plant

Your young tree will require regular watering – even during a drought. If you are trying to conserve water, cater for this by utilising grey water as much as possible and by only planting drought-tolerant tree varieties, including:

• Cape ebony (Euclea pseudebenus)
• Chinese lantern (Nymania capensis)
• Karoo gold (Rhigozum obovatum)
• Spekboom (Portulacaria afra)
• Quiver tree (Aloe dichotoma Masson)

Where to plant your tree sapling

• Each sapling has its own light requirements, so make sure to check that the spot you choose will remain appropriate as your sapling grows. Keep in mind that the ground where you plant your sapling may not necessarily receive the same light as the space higher up. As the tree grows, it may get more (or less!) light depending on its surroudings.
• Use a broomstick to check that the light levels will be correct at the top of the tree: place the stick vertically on the desired location and see how high the shadow mark extends up the stick. Remember to check this at varying points during the day as the sun moves across the sky and your garden.

How to plant tree saplings

• Dig a square-shaped, 60cm x 60cm, hole. A large hole will ensure there is enough new loose soil for young roots to grow into easily, which will also encourage faster and healthier growth. A square-shaped hole encourages roots to grow sideways and downwards for a large spread of deep roots, which ensures your newly planted tree remains stable and rigid.
• Mix two handfuls of compost, half a cup of bonemeal and half a cup of 2:3:2 fertiliser into the dug-up soil. 
• Fill the hole with water and allow it to soak in and drain naturally.
• Plant the tree in the hole at the same depth as it was in its packaging. Backfill soil around the root ball, packing lightly as you go. Remember to pack soil tightly only directly around the stem, as roots need loose soil to grow into. Leftover soil can be used to form a small mound around the tree (known as a watering well).
• Save water and prevent rapid drying of soil around the tree by mulching. Cover the soil with a 7cm- to 10cm-deep layer of mulch that extends at least 45cm around the trunk in a circle.

How often to water new trees

• Your tree is at its weakest just after planting and needs a fair amount of water, but be careful not to overwater the sapling. During the first two years, the soil should always be moist, but not soggy.
• Insert a garden spade into the soil around your sapling to a depth of 3cm to make a small trench, then feel the soil. If it is dry to the touch, your sapling needs water. If it’s moist, it’s fine.
• If in need of water, use a steady stream from a garden hose for 30 seconds.
• If your tree is over two years old, it will have developed a strong root structure and can withstand longer periods without water, and, in all likelihood, you will not need to water it.

Expert tip

• Deep watering ensures the sapling’s roots grow strong and deep underground. Light and insufficient watering will cause surface roots to develop. These roots are too weak to support the young tree and can make the plant susceptible to disease.
• Remember that sprinklers do not adequately water tree saplings and actively contribute to surface-root formation.

The post How to care for your new tree sapling appeared first on Stodels.

These attractive trees work well in small gardens:

• For the birdlife: cheesewood (Pittosporum viridiflorum) has pretty pale bark with distinctive white dots. This indigenous tree bears greenish-white, sweetly scented flowers in spring and summer. Birds love to feed on the orange-red seeds that appear after the flowering season.
• For a non-invasive root system: false olive (Buddleja saligna) produces tiny creamy white flowers with a honey-like scent in spring and summer, and grows quickly (up to 0.8m per year).
• For the indigenous lover: the lavender tree (Heteropyxis natalensis) is indigenous to KwaZulu-Natal. It has glossy green leaves that release a lavender-like scent when crushed. It bears yellow to green flowers that attract bees and butterflies to the garden.
• For flowers throughout the year: wild laburnum (Calpurnia aurea) bears grape-like bunches of bright yellow flowers. It blooms irregularly but throughout the year, especially if it is planted in full sunlight.
• For the impatient gardener: the pompom tree (Dais cotinifolia) bears masses of pink flowers in pompom-like clusters in early summer. It grows quickly, reaching its full height in 4 to 5 years and producing flowers from the second year.
• For the acacia lover: look out for smaller varieties, such as the cork thorn tree (Acacia davyi), scented-pod acacia (Acacia nilotica) and candle thorn (Acacia hebeclada).

Once you’ve selected your tree from your local Stodels, follow these tips to planting and caring for your sapling.

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DID YOU KNOW?
Although Arbour Day has been in existence for many years in the United States, it was first introduced to South Africa in 1982. South Africans love the concept so much that we’ve gone from having an Arbour Day to hosting a full Arbour week in the first week of September annually. At Stodels Garden Centres, we extend our tree-loving celebrations to the whole month so you have more opportunity to join in by planting a tree!

WHY YOU SHOULD PLANT A TREE
Trees are not only beautiful and providers of much-needed shade, they also play an important role in absorbing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and in return, providing life-giving oxygen. As human populations grow and cities expand, the vast open veld is fast becoming a concrete jungle – the urban population in Africa alone is predicted to double by 2030. Some of the other reasons to plant trees are that they improve the quality of soil and its capacity for water retention, they help to reduce stress and lower heart rates, and they provide food and shelter to wildlife. 

Nick Stodel, MD of Stodels Garden Centres says, “I feel that children should not just be taught about the environment, but given a small piece of ground and told to plant. No number of lectures will have the same effect as watching your own trees or plants grow. By sponsoring trees and encouraging everyone to plant them, we invest in an ecologically sound future.”

HOW TO CELEBRATE ARBOUR WEEK

• Plant a tree at home: Choose a good spot in your garden, follow our tree-planting tips and turn the occasion into a little ceremony with your family. Kids will love watching your tree grow, and you can use the occasion to teach them about how trees help to clean the air. There’s a certain magic in watching a tree you planted with your own hands grow over the years.
• Sponsor a tree to be planted: Don’t have any space at home? Donate a tree to a school, or contact any one of the amazing tree-planting organisations out there who, for a small donation, will make sure that a tree is planted in your name. Food & Trees for Africa, Save our Planet – Plant a Tree and Greenpop are among the many wonderful organisations that you could check out.

The post Why do we celebrate Arbour Week? appeared first on Stodels.

How you usually plant a tree?

• You dig a deep, narrow hole and put the tree inside, right? Wrong. While this is how many of us have planted trees for years, new planting techniques focus on the tree’s natural development and growth pattern.
• Up to 80 percent of a tree’s roots spread out in the top metre of soil. Most of the tree’s roots are shallow and they need good aeration and water. If they are trapped too far down, they can actually suffocate. Another danger of planting a tree in a hole that is too deep is that the bark gets covered with the moist soil and it, too, can suffocate and rot.

Based on these findings, here are the new guidelines for planting trees :

• Dig a shallow, wide hole (three times wider than deep).
• The trunk flare (the base of the tree where the roots spread out) should be visible after the tree has been placed in the hole.
• Handle the tree with care. Pick it up by the base, and not the trunk.
• Fill the hole with soil, taking care not to let air pockets form. To prevent air pockets, add a third of the soil, water well, allow the water to drain and add another layer, continuing until the soil is finished.
• Stake the tree on both sides, if necessary.
• Place mulch around the tree, but keep the mulch at least 3cm from the bark of the tree. Water the tree once a week.

A few more Pointers :

• The best time of the year to plant trees is autumn or spring. If you plant trees near a lawn, be careful to keep the grass a fair distance from the tree, as the grass roots will be stronger than the young roots of the tree and may strangle them.
• Once your tree is well established, you can prune it to direct its growth. Identify the dominant branch and then cut back (but don’t cut off) any competing branches by a third of their length.

The post Planting a tree the right way appeared first on Stodels.

Arbour Week is celebrated each year in South Africa from 1-7 September. While it’s always a good time to plant a tree, this national week reminds us of the important role that trees play in our environment and our communities. We’ve included a few tips below to help you choose the best trees for your garden, as well as how to plant them.

Choose the right tree for your needs :

• First consider the size of your garden. If you have a smallish garden then a tree which grows to a mature height of 10m is probably not the best choice. Ask a horticulturist at one of our five branches to tell you how big you can expect a tree to grow before buying it.
• Where will you be planting the tree? If you want to plant it next to a wall or paving then it’s best to choose a tree with a non-invasive root system.
• Will your children play in close vicinity of the tree? In this case, it’s best to avoid a tree with thorns. However, thorns can be an advantage if used as an extra security provision if the tree is planted next to a boundary wall.
• Will the tree be planted close to a swimming pool? If so, it’s best not to opt for a deciduous tree, as you’ll spend all of autumn removing leaves from your pool.

How to plant a tree :

• Dig a square hole measuring about 60cm x 60cm. A square hole encourages the roots of the tree to grow sideways, which gives the tree greater stability.
• Add a spadeful of compost and half a cup each of bonemeal and 2:3:2 fertiliser to the hole.
• Add some of the soil that you dug out of the hole and mix everything together. Fill the hole with water. Wait for the water to drain away.
• Remove the packaging and place the tree in the hole, ensuring that the tree is planted at the same height as it was in the packaging.
• Use more of the soil that you initially dug from the hole to firm the tree in place. Water well.
• Feed your new tree with an application of 2:3:2 about a month after planting.

The post Tree planting tips appeared first on Stodels.

Here are some growing tips to ensure that you get the most out of your clematis:

• Plant your clematis in a position where its foliage will receive plenty of sunlight, but where the roots of the plant are predominantly shaded. Clematis roots need to be kept moist and cool at all times.
• Before planting, add a cup of agricultural lime and a handful of bone meal to the soil. Mix in well. Well-rotted compost will also improve the drainage of the soil.
• Plant clematis 5-6 cm deeper than it was planted in the nursery packaging. Deep planting allows the plant to form basal shoots from the crown of the plant.
• Place 4 bamboo stakes in an even square perimeter around the plant. Tie them together at the top to form a teepee-like shape. Your growing clematis will use this frame to start its climbing mission to ever greater heights.
• Remember to keep clematis well-watered at all times.

The post Clematis: The climbing beauty appeared first on Stodels.

Pomegranate trees can be grown from seeds or propagated from hardwood cuttings, but it’s best to initially buy a named cultivar from a garden centre. Plant it in a sunny position where it enjoys high visibility – it’s a very attractive tree, so you won’t want it hidden away. Pomegranates grow well in most soil types and require only water and occasional feeding to produce an abundance of fruit. The bright red flowers appear in spring and summer, followed by the attractive fruit.

The fruit should be harvested in late summer or early autumn. The rule of thumb to test whether the fruit is ripe is to tap it on the outside – if it makes a ‘metallic’ sound it is ready to harvest. Fruits which split open on the tree are overripe. Remember to use secateurs when harvesting the fruit, as picking them can tear the skin. Pomegranates have a long shelf life after being picked and can be kept for up to 4 months.After harvesting, remember to fertilise your pomegranate tree in late winter with a high nitrogen fertiliser.

Pomegranate seeds are beautiful and delicious – add them to salads and desserts, or use them as a garnish. Pomegranate juice is tangy and sweet and has excellent health properties, due to its high antioxidant content. Pomegranate juice and seeds can also be used as an interesting substitute for citrus in recipes.

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