My friends, Rachel and Jenny, are my go-to-agricultural-know-it-alls. Today they’re going to walk us through the steps of planting a tree. Before you get intimidated, it’s easier than it sounds.
First thing’s first: you have to select a tree type. Hardiness plays a huge role in deciding what to grow in your area and climate. It has to do with a plant’s ability to survive adverse growing conditions. Find the hardiness zone of your land here, and make a decision based on your location.
You’ll need:
a shovel
a tree sapling
a tree tube
zip ties
gloves
a hammer
a fiberglass stake
Step 1.) Make sure to wear clothes you can get dirty.
Step 2.) Dig a hole 2x the size of the tree’s root ball.
Step 3.) Insert the tree into the hole. Make sure the soil doesn’t cover the crown of the tree’s roots. Lightly step on soil to firm up the tree’s position.
Step 4.) Put the tree tube over the tree. This prevents wildlife from eating it or stepping on it. The tube also creates a greenhouse effect, providing the tree more light and moisture.
Step 5.) Drive the fiberglass stake into the ground next to the tree tube with a hammer. Make sure to never touch the fiberglass with your bare hands. It is made of tiny particles that can get into your skin and cause irritation.
Step 6.) Secure the tube to the stake with several zip ties. Now water your tree and watch it grow. It really is that simple.
Little Zieg did his part digging too. (Okay, he might have been hunting for gophers. But he was good company.)
Rachel standing with pine trees that were planted around 10 years ago. It’s inspiring to think that you could grow something similar with the knowledge they shared with you today.
