Most gardening books and articles on the internet will tell you that the colder months when trees and shrubs are dormant are the best time to plant. In general this is true, but as I write this, at the end of January 2014, there is standing water in the fields, edges of road and in many gardens. In Warwickshire, we are mainly on clay soil which is slow to drain after rain, and given our local conditions I can say, that really now is not the time to plant.
If you cannot wait until the soil has dried out or you are convinced the micro climate in your garden means it will be fine to plant, I urge you to spread your planting over 2 days.
On day one, dig the hole, follow any instructions that came with your tree and make sure the hole is deep enough and wide enough to easily fit the pot the tree is in at the moment or the root ball for a bare rooted specimen. Allow enough space in the hole to incorporate some well-rotted manure or compost. Once the hole is dug leave it overnight.
On day two inspect your hole. If there is a puddle of water in it, do not plant your tree. No plant, apart from pond plants like to have their roots in standing water. The quickest way to kill your new tree is to plant it in a puddle. If your tree is in a pot leave it in there, if it is bare rooted, heel the plant in somewhere and wait for better weather before you try again.
If you want advice or help with planting trees please do contact us.
