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Inspect the parcel at the branch, unpack the sapling at home and do not leave it in the sun or frost. Soak open roots for 12–24 hours and plant; if it is too early, heel it in or keep it in a cool place in damp sawdust or sand. Water a sapling in a bag moderately and plant it with the root ball.
1At the branch: inspect the parcel
Inspect the parcel before you take it. If the packaging is damaged or the saplings look damaged — document it together with the branch employee (draw up a report) and call us right away: we will tell you what to do next. The terms of exchange and returns are described on the “Exchange and returns” page.
2The first hours at home
- Unpack the saplingDo not leave it in the sun, in a draught or in frost.
- Inspect itThe roots should be damp and alive, not dry and brittle; the buds should be intact.
- Prepare it for planting or storageDepending on the type of sapling — see below.
3A sapling with open roots (one-year)
If you are planting right away, soak the roots in water for 12–24 hours and trim the root tips by 1–2 cm. If the roots have dried out a little, soaking usually revives them.
If you cannot plant now (frost, the soil is not ready):
- heel the sapling into a trench on the plot, covering the roots with soil, and water it;
- or keep it in a cool place (about 0…+5 °C) in damp sawdust or sand, not letting it dry out or freeze.
4A sapling in a bag with soil (two-year)
It has a closed root system — no special soaking is needed. Keep it in a bright, cool place without frost, water moderately and do not overwater: the root ball should be damp, not a swamp. Plant it together with the root ball.
5Planting step by step
- Prepare the holeabout 50–60 cm wide and 60–80 cm deep: drainage, a fertile mix, watering with 2–3 buckets of water. It is better to dig it in advance, 10–14 days before planting.
- Set the saplingSpread open roots over a small mound; set a sapling with a root ball on a level cushion. Do not bury the graft union, if there is one.
- Fill with fertile soiland firm it lightly.
- Waterwith 1–2 buckets of water and mulch the soil with hay, humus or sawdust.
- Shade itFor 1–1.5 months, while the roots take hold, protect the sapling from direct sun and watch the moisture.
Planting dates depend on the sapling type — read in a separate article.
6The first season and the first winter
In the first year the main thing is regular watering without overwatering, loosening and weeding, and protection from diseases and pests. If you plant in autumn, do not forget to cover the young planting for its first winter — we explain how to do it here.
7Frequently asked questions
What if the roots have dried out?
Soak the roots in water for 12–24 hours: this usually helps. Trim the dried root tips back to living tissue and do not leave the sapling in the sun.
Can I plant a sapling in frost?
No. If the ground is frozen, keep the sapling heeled in or in a cool place and plant when the soil thaws and warms up.
Who do I contact if something is wrong with the parcel?
Call us at +380 66 469 78 97 or write on Telegram. We will tell you what to do next.
