Trees Bent Out of Shape, Actually the Right Way

Summer and many gardeners are planting trees. But what to do with wobbly trees after they are cut from the stake in the pot or B&B?

If it’s necessary to stake a new skinny-trunked transplant to keep it from flopping, the lower you tie the tree to the stake(s), the more the trunk will be able to flex and strengthen in the wind. To determine the best height for tying (a height which will allow flexing but not flopping), grab the trunk with your right hand near the top and gently bend the top over with your left hand. You’ll notice that the tree is able to return to an upright position. Move your right hand down the trunk and continue bending and releasing the top with your left hand. At a certain point, the top will stay flopped over and not regain its upright position. Tie the tree to the stakes at a point six inches higher than the last position of your right hand. From my book, Roots Demystified, Change Your Gardening Habits to Help Roots Thrive.


“BUY FROM THE SOURCE TO HELP KEEP WRITERS WRITING”


Let me know what you think. Visit my web site to learn about my new book on drip irrigation and other gardening books. Thanks, Robert

On the right road to drip irrigation

I've been seeing more and more use of in line emitter tubing in commercial settings. Here's a sample from Kaiser's (my HMO) parking lot. I applaud the circles of in-line tubing as it follows some of the recommendations as outlined in my book - Drip Irrigation for All Landscapes & All Climates. However the inner circle is not needed as the crown of this tree would get plenty of water with the single outer circle. This is outlined in my book - Roots Demystified,Change You Gardening Habits to Help Plants Thrive.

“BUY FROM THE SOURCE TO HELP KEEP WRITERS WRITING”


Let me know what you think. Visit my web site to learn about my new book on drip irrigation and other gardening books. Thanks, Robert

A crime, don't do this at home.

I first stumbled on the disgusting hack job someone did on the tree on the left. Little did I know at would serve such a glorious purpose as shown on the right. :)

Get Your Wet Spots Figured Out

The drawing in the middle is from my book Drip Irrigation – For Every Landscapes & All Climates, it shows an ideal view of how the wet spots on the surface merge together 2-6 inches below the soil’s surface. The photo on the left shows the spots of irrigation on the surface of potting soil filling a horse trough. Notice how much of the soil appears to be dry. The other photograph shows the soil after I created a hole 4 inches deep – moisture is in the entire block of soil. These emitters are the 1/4-inch inline tubing with emitters every 12 inches. I’ll show, in later blogs, the resulting growth.


“BUY FROM THE SOURCE TO HELP KEEP WRITERS WRITING”


Let me know what you think. Visit my web site to learn about my new book on drip irrigation and other gardening books. Thanks, Robert