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Planting Information
Plant Calculator
Fill in any two fields and this tool will calculate the third field.
Use this tool to determine:
Note: the spacings we suggest in each plant's description will (given
proper nurturing) generally result in good fill within two years; use
a closer spacing if you want them to fill in more quickly, use a
farther spacing if you want to save money and are willing to wait
longer for them to fill in.
Spacing Multipliers You can use the following formula to calculate how many plants you will need based on your "Spacing Multiplier". Example: you want to cover an area of 120 square feet with a spacing of 10". The Spacing Multiplier for 10" spacing is 1.45. Multiply 1.45 x 120 and you get 174 plants needed.
Formulas for figuring square feet
Squares and rectangles - Length x width
Equivalents
1 sq. yard = 9 sq. ft.
1 cu. yd = 27 cu.ft or 22 bu. 1 cu. yd. will fill:
Groundcovers are capable of giving long lasting beauty and function, but their performance is only as good as the effort one puts into soil preparation.
Incorporate a complete fertilizer like 10-10-10 into the soil at the time of tilling or planting. For maximum growth, a high nitrogen fertilizer like 16-4-8 should be applied every 4-6 weeks after planting, beginning in early spring through late summer. In early fall and winter, apply 5-10-15 at recommended rate. After fertilizing, water the plants to wash fertilizer from foliage and avoid any burning of new growth. Avoid over-fertilizing, it can burn or even kill your plants. Fast growing plants and plants that produce an abundance of blooms can benefit from more fertilizer. [more information on fertilization] For best results, incorporate a pre-emergent weed control herbicide into the planting area. Follow label instructions for the brand you choose. Be sure to check the label of the brand selected to assure applicability to the specific groundcover to be treated. Applying a 2-4" heavy top mulch will greatly assist weed prevention, erosion control and increase moisture retention. Consider testing the pH (and perhaps even magnesium, phosphorus and potassium levels) of your soil and adjusting as needed during the tilling step. It's WAY more important to the health and growth rate of plants than most people realize. [more information on pH] If you'd like to reduce your frequency of watering and risk of drought damage, consider adding Horticultural Grade Terra-Sorb (AKA Super-sorb) to your soil. It absorbs up to 200 times its weight in water and slowly releases it. It's non-toxic, non-hazardous to the environment, and compatible with fertilizer. Apply at a rate of 1 pound per 100 square feet for each 2 inches of depth by raking or tilling into the ground 2-4 inches (or mix 1/2 teaspoon into the soil under/around each individual plant).
Planting Instructions The best times to plant are spring and fall, when soil is workable and out of danger of frost. Fall plantings have the advantage that roots can develop and not have to compete with developing top growth as in the spring. Spring is more desirable for perennials that dislike wet conditions or for colder areas, allowing full establishment before first winter. To plant container-grown plants: Prepare planting holes with appropriate depth and space between. Water the plant thoroughly and let the excess water drain before carefully removing from the container. Carefully loosen the root ball and place the plant in the hole, working soil around the roots as you fill. If the plant is root bound, separate roots with fingers. Continue filling in soil and water thoroughly, ideally protecting from direct sun until stable (if possible). To plant bare-root plants: Plant as soon as possible after delivery. Prepare suitable planting holes, spread roots and work soil among roots as you fill in. Water well and ideally protect from direct sun until stable (if possible).
Keep the planting evenly watered for the first season to promote rooting and establishment.
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