- - AGRICULTURE CORE CURRICULUM - -

(CLF6000) Advanced Core Cluster: ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE

 (CLF6500) Unit Title: SELECTION, PLANTING, AND CARE OF ORNAMENTAL PLANTS

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 (CLF6502) Topic: PLANTING TECHNIQUES    Time              Year(s) 
                                            1-2 hours          3 / 4 
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         Topic Objectives: Upon completion of this lesson, the student
                            will be able to:

         Learning Outcome #:

           (I-3) - Demonstrate proper planting techniques for five 
                     different landscape plants.

         Special Materials and Equipment: various plant materials,
                     shovels, hand trowel, bulb planter.

         References: Editors of Sunset Books and Sunset Magazine. (1988). 
                       WESTERN GARDEN BOOK (5th ed.). Menlo Park, CA: Lane
                       Publishing Co.
                     Harris, R. W. (1983). ARBORICULTURE: CARE OF TREES,
                       SHRUBS, AND VINES IN THE LANDSCAPE. Englewood 
                       Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
                     Ingels, Jack E. (1985). ORNAMENTAL HORTICULTURE: 
                       PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES. Albany, NY: Delmar
                       Publishers.

         Evaluation: Oberservation, and testing

TOPIC PRESENTATION: PLANTING TECHNIQUES

REVIEW: 6400 Soil preparation unit

A. Plant installation follows site preparation, structure construction, and
   sprinkler installation. 

   1. Soils of poor structure should have been improved by cultivation.

   2. The location of the plants should follow the designer's plan which
       should have taken into consideration the best possible situation for
       maximum enjoyment and minimum upkeep.

   3. Different types of plant material require different types of
       planting methods.
B. Trees and Shrubs

   1. The planting hole should be at least twice as wide as the container
       and as deep (or slightly less deep) than the height of the root
       ball.

       a. The sides of the root ball should be roughed up prior to
           planting.

       b. Large boxes do not always need large planting holes.

   2. Prune away dead, broken, diseased, or kinked roots. Cut and 
       straighten circling roots; shave matted roots. Roughen the sides of 
       the root ball.

   3. The plant should be placed in the hole so that it is centered and
       the top of the root ball should be at or just above the soil line.

*** NOTE: The use of a backfill is still practiced in the industry.
         Researchers do not recommend the use of amendments as backfill.

   4. If a soil amendent is being used, it should be mixed with equal 
       amounts of native soil and used as the backfill for the planting 
       hole.

   5. Make a basin around the plant and thoroughly water.

C. Ground Covers

   1. The ground should have been cultivated and possibly amended as part
       of the soil preparation procedure.

   2. The planting procedure is the same as for trees and shrubs.

D. Annuals and Perennials

   1. These are usually installed for color for a limited length of time.

   2. The ground should have been cultivated and possibly amended as part
       of the soil preparation procedure.

   3. Follow the basic rules for trees and shrubs.

E. Specialty Plants

   1. Bulbs are planted twice as deep as the size of the bulb.

   2. Bareroot Trees and Roses 

       a. The planting hole should be large enough to handle the root 
           system.

       b. Make sure that the graft union is planted ABOVE the soil line.

   3. Balled and Burlaped Plants 

       a. The planting hole should be twice the diameter of the root ball.

       b. Make sure to loosen and fold back the burlap from around the
           plant.


         __________________________________________________________
         ACTIVITY: 

         1. Take class members outside for a planting demonstration.

         2. Have students plant different types of plant materials.

             NOTE: Work with your school's groundskeepers; they may
                   have eveything you need for free.

         3. Have class members draw posters showing the different
             planting methods.
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1/6/91 MT/clh

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