Don't Compact Soil When Planting

This winter and spring, many people will be planting trees, shrubs, and perennials.

When backfilling the soil, DO NOT use your foot with all your weight, or a shovel handle to settle the soil.

You will compact the soil too tightly around the roots, especially if you have clay soil that has not been amended properly.

You want to keep the soil somewhat airy, and friable, so instead, work the soil in close to the roots by hand, and if the roots are fine, use your fingers or a stick to gently push the soil into the air pockets before watering in.

Then water, fill in with more soil if depressions or air holes have formed, and then water again.

Let the water settle the soil, and if you end up with a slight depression, that's ok, just add a bit more soil to level it out.

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Have a great day!