

DIY Planting Guide

Posted by Tammy Sons on 31st Jan 2016

Complete Planting Guide For All Your Plants Purchased From Tn Nursery

Planting ferns

Ferns not only look well growing along the side of a bank near a creek or pond but they also look great in hanging baskets, around house foundations to hide block or in planters as well. When it comes to ferns, many people love them but aren't quite sure how to plant them. If you follow these few simple steps, you should be able to have gorgeous looking ferns in no time.


1. Location - The first thing to do is to determine where in your flower bed/garden the fern is going to be placed. This is important so that they will grow well in the chosen spot.

2. What Kind - After determining the place where your plants are going to be, you must find what kind of fern you want? The fern must be able to thrive in the soil and light condition of that spot. So you must take notes of the areas sunlight and things of that nature. Also, check the soils ph level which can be done with some simple test strips found at your local garden center. Also check the water access for the chosen area, since some ferns require vast amounts of water.

3. Purchase your plant

4. When you pick up the plant be sure to check it for insects, dead spots and other signs of a deteriorating plant. Buy your ferns from TNnursery.net, and you won't have to worry!

5. Now that you have gotten your plant you must select the exact spot that the plant will be placed. Dig a hole twice the size of the roots and add fertilizer if needed. Then place the plant (tear some of the roots so that they spread out) in the hole and fill in the sides. Water the plant immediately afterward. Also be sure to water it on a regular schedule (or however much it needs).

6. Now you can sit back and enjoy your plant's growth and beauty.

By following these few simple steps, you can enjoy the look of a vast, hardy and dense fern in no time!

Plant Information

Our fern plants are dormant bare roots known as rhizomes. They have been in the cooler and will not come up the first season. But the following spring, you should see all the ferns alive and do well. When you purchase "dormant plants" it's as if they are asleep and not growing in the winter months. When you order in the summer and plant them, you may only see 5-10% of new sprouts. These plants are not dead when received. They do not have tops. All our ferns are priced very affordably, most less than .75 cents each, but you will be amazed at what a lovely plant you will have the following spring.

Bareroot plants will not have soil around the root system nor a container. When purchasing bare root plants, you will need to get them on the ground ASAP to prevent them from going in to shock. The same rule should be followed for bare-root perennials, ferns and liner stock.

All leaves, known as foliage on the plants, will always die back for fall planting. This is a standard process. Water the live plants every day after planting for the first five days and you should have success with your plants.

Our plants are always dug the day or-or the day before shipping. We dip each bundle of bare-rooted plants in terasorb. This is a silicone gel that interlocks the moisture in the root system to allow it to ship without stress. We also pack in peat moss. This also helps retain moisture in the root system.

Planting a bare root tree


1. Location - Determine where your flower bed /garden is going to be. This is needed before you can select what tree you're going to get. Always remember to not plant any trees around or near walkways, driveways or pipes such as the septic line.

2. What kind of tree you want - Determine what trees can thrive in your selected location. This m!eans taking in to account water consumption, sunlight, and ph levels. Once you've determined which trees will live in your selected spot, decide what you want in that spot. Trees such as great white Oaks need a large amount of room, while small dwarf apple trees need only a small amount of room.

3. Shop - Once you have determined what you're getting, do you're shopping and get your tree. Try shopping TNnursery.net for the best deals.

4. Inspect your tree - Once you get your plant, it should be checked for breaks, insects, dead limbs and other signs of plant deterioration.

5. Dig - Now that you've got your tree you should go to the determined location and dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. This can be done quickly with post hole diggers or a shovel. The plant should have fertilizer added to it and the hole filled in. The tree should be immediately watered. Add mulch or pine needles around the trunk so that the water can retain.


7. Sit back and relax, and watch your plant grow (it will take a while of course)


Planting a bare root Shrub


1. Location - Determine your planting area - This includes where the plant is going to be located and the surrounding area as well. You should also take note to avoid any electrical wires, sewage lines, or gas pipes that may be under your selected area. Also determine the amount of water, sun, and space the plant will need.

2. Determine the right plant - Next, you should find what shrub that you will put in the area. This means you must see what will grow and thrive in that specific area, and then choose what you want from your list of plants. The things that should be taken into consideration when picking a plant includes the shrubs maximum size, soil ph levels, fertilizer, sunlight, and water consumption.

3. Go shopping - Look around at different sellers of the plant to see who offers the best value.

4. Check your plant- Once you get your plant, check it over. Things that you should look for include insects, cracks or breaks, dead leaves, and serious yellowing of the leaves. These may indicate that the plant may be dying or at risk of dying.

5. Planting-To plant your shrub dig a hole that is twice the size of the root ball. Insert plant and fertilizer. Then fill the area around the plant with dirt. Next, your plant should be watered.


This can be very rewarding with just a little work.

Planting a bare root Perennial plant

Are you interested in planting some bare root perennial plants? Or do you even know what a bare root perennial plant is? A bare root perennial is a perennial plant that has been grown in the ground and not a pot - and is dug up the day of shipment. Usually, their roots are placed in a burlap bag that keeps them reasonably moist for transport. But do you know how to plant them? Here are some simple instructions on planting them. Spacing needs to be 12" to 4 feet

1. Selecting the area- Determine where your flower bed, hedge, a small natural area is going to be is the first question. Once this has been determined, you should note where you want plants and the necessary qualities. Some of the qualities that should be noted are sunlight, water levels, ph levels, and the type of soil there.

2. Selecting a Plant - Next, you should do some research on what plants can live and thrive in those conditions. Then from that list of plants, select your favorites.

3. Shopping - The third thing to do is to shop around for the best plant you can find. If you don't, you may be wasting your money, so spend some time shopping around for the best value.

4. Checking the Plant - As soon as you get your plant, check it over. The plant may have signs that it is unhealthy. Symptoms may include insect infestation, dead limbs, large amounts of yellowing leaves, and breaks in the plant.

5. Planting- To plant your new perennial you must first dig a hole twice the size of the plant's root ball. Insert the plant and fertilizer (it should have fertilizer added) and fill it in. Immediately water the plant.


By following these few simple steps, you can have great perennials to enjoy year after year in no time.

Planting bare root ground cover

Does your yard or flowerbed need some ground cover? Or are you planning a new flower bed that will make use of groundcovers great ability to spread? Either way, have you considered using a bare root ground cover? A bare root ground cover is a ground cover plant and is a plant that was grown in a field instead of in a flower bed. These plants are dug up right before they are sent to your house. The roots are wrapped in a burlap sack to help retain moisture. Do you know how to plant these kinds of plants? Here are some simple instructions.

1. First, you must determine where your plant or new flower bed is going. This means to also take in the fact that there may be underground wires or pipes in the area. You should also take in to account the qualities of the area, which include sunlight amounts (shade, full, partial), water amounts, soil ph levels, and the kind of soil that is there.

2. Picking a ground cover - Take the qualities that you have organized for the area of your plant and use them to narrow down what plants will live in that kind of zone. Once you know what plants will live there, you can pick which one you like the most.

3. Shopping-Wait! Don't just buy the first plant you see! Go shopping around; look for who has the best value on your selected plant.

4. Getting your plant - Once you've got your plant, check it over for dead spots. The list of things that mean a damaged plant can include insect infestation, dead parts, severely yellowing leaves, and other serious signs. If any of these are present, contact your dealer.

5. Planting your plant - To plant your new ground cover, you must dig a hole twice the size of the plant's root ball. Then insert the plant into the hole, add fertilizer, and fill it in. Immediately water the plant.

Sit back and marvel at your plant thrives in its new home.

Planting bare root wetland plants

Do you know how to plant a bare root wetland plant? A wetland plant is a plant that is either grown in the water or around the edge of the water (swamps are included). A "bare root" plant is a plant that has been raised in a field, or in this case, a pond or such - and dug out the day of shipment. These plants are a little bit more difficult to plant, but it can be done. Here are some simple instructions.

1. First, you must determine where your pond, wetland area, or individual plant is going to be placed. The area that you decide should be surveyed for certain qualities, such as water level, (if it is just a wetland) soil moisture, sunlight, ph levels, and other contributing factors.

2. Selecting your plant - The next thing to do is to select what plants can grow in that specific area. From that list of plants, you should pick a plant to buy.


4. Plant health - When getting your plant you should fully inspect the plant for damage. The list of possible damage includes insect infestations, breaks or tears in the plant, massive amounts of yellowing, and other serious damage signs.

5. Planting - For wetland plants, dig a hole twice the size of the plant's root ball. The plant should be placed in the hole with fertilizer and then filled in, water immediately afterward. For pond plants, a simple burying of the root into the mud will be sufficient.

6. Sit back and relax, and watch your plants grow. (That is if you maintain them!)

Planting Live Stakes


Cut stakes from long, upright branches taken off the parent plant. Typically, live stakes should be between 18 and 24 inches long and at least three-eighths of an inch in diameter. Follow the guidelines suggested in the ethics of plant collection (below).

Make a straight cut at the narrow end of the stake (toward the tip of the branch). At the thicker end (toward the trunk) cut the branch at an angle, so that it makes a point. This way you will know which end is up, and it will also be easier to drive the stakes into the ground. It is important to plant live stakes with the correct end in the ground; otherwise, they will die.


Dip the top (blunt cut, narrow end) 2-3 inches of the stakes in latex paint immediately after they are cut. The paint not only marks which end is up, but it also seals the exposed cut end and helps prevent drying and cracking. You can also use different colors of paint to color different code species of cuttings, planting times, and other treatments. The paint will also make the stakes visible once they are planted so people won't trip over them.



Drive the stakes into the streambank or wetland soil at least one foot deep (the thicker, the better). Leave three to six inches above ground surface so they can sprout leaves. At first, the stakes will survive by rooting, but eventually, leaves will sprout from the exposed end of the stakes.


Use long stakes at least one-half inch in diameter when planting in riprap (rocks). The longer, thicker stakes will survive heating and dry better than smaller diameter cuttings.


