Quick-Start Guide Planting & Care

🌿 ATM GARDENS

QUICK-START PLANTING & CARE GUIDE

Thank you for bringing our plants into your landscape! Because we care about plant health and sustainable shipping, your order has been safely bare-rooted, hydrated with specialized Tersorb water gel beads, tightly wrapped in protective waxed butcher paper, and sealed in a moisture-retaining bag.

STEP 1: THE UNBOXING (DO THIS IMMEDIATELY)

Live roots need to breathe the moment they arrive.

  1. Carefully cut open the shipping box. Lift the plant out gently from the middle of the main stem or trunk—never yank it by the top branches.

  2. Keep the wrap on for a moment: Leave the waxed butcher paper and root bag intact until you have your planting site or a temporary bucket ready.

  3. Let it acclimate: Place the wrapped plant in a shaded, sheltered outdoor area out of direct sunlight and harsh winds for 24 hours to let it recover from its dark journey.

STEP 2: CAN’T PLANT RIGHT AWAY? (ROOT PROTECTION)

Because your plant is not in a plastic pot, you must not let the roots dry out. If you cannot plant it into the ground within 24 to 48 hours, use this temporary hold method:

  • The Bucket Method: Remove the plastic moisture bag and the waxed paper. Place the roots into a bucket. Fill the bucket with loose, damp topsoil, compost, or shredded mulch to completely bury the roots.

  • Keep it Moist: Keep the bucket in a shaded outdoor spot and check it daily. Keep the packing material damp. Do not submerge the roots completely under standing water for days, as this will suffocate and drown the plant.

STEP 3: PREPARING THE HOLE

The secret to a long-lived tree or plant lies in the digging.

  1. Dig wide, not deep: Dig a hole that is 2 to 3 times wider than the spread of the loose root system, but exactly the same depth.

  2. Check the depth: When you place the plant in the hole, the "root flare" (the exact spot where the roots start branching out from the main trunk) must sit slightly above the surrounding soil line. Never bury the trunk.

  3. Loosen the edges: Scrape the sides of the hole with your shovel to loosen compacted dirt, making it easier for new roots to break through.

STEP 4: PLANTING & BACK-FILLING

  1. Prepare the roots: Gently remove the outer moisture bag, unwrap the waxed butcher paper, and shake loose any excess packaging paper. Leave any remaining Tersorb gel beads right on the roots—they will continue to safely hold moisture in your native soil!

  2. Spread the roots: Place the plant in the center of the hole and gently spread the roots outward and downward, ensuring they aren't tangled or circling tightly.

  3. Back-fill with native soil: Fill the hole halfway using the natural dirt you dug out. Do not add heavy chemical fertilizers directly into the hole. Tamp the dirt lightly with your hands to eliminate major air pockets. Fill the rest of the hole to the soil line.

STEP 5: THE CRITICAL FIRST WATERING & MULCH

  1. The Initial Soak: Build a slight 2-inch dirt ring (a structural berm) around the outer edge of the planting hole to trap water. Fill this ring with water slowly, giving it a deep, thorough soak so the native soil settles perfectly around the loose roots.

  2. Add Mulch: Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of organic mulch (wood chips or bark) over the entire planting zone to lock in moisture. Crucial: Keep the mulch 2 inches away from the bark of the trunk to prevent rot.

  3. Ongoing Watering Schedule: For the first 2 to 3 weeks, water deeply every 2 to 3 days (depending on rainfall and heat). It is always better to water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth, rather than giving it quick, shallow splashes every day.

Questions or concerns about your plant's health upon arrival? Email us at [Support@atmgardens.com] within 72 hours of delivery with your order number and photos—we are here to help your garden grow!