Schmittel’s Planting and Care Guide

A NEW PLANT 

Is a long-term investment that provides years of shade, beauty, and enviromental benefits. We hope this guide offers valuable tips on how to care for your plants, helping you enjoy them for many years to come. 

Read on, or view our Watering Guide Brochure 

Tips on Planting 

After purchasing your plant at your local nursery in St. Louis, the first thing you need to do is plant it in the ground or a pot. Below is some advice for this stage in the process.

  • Dig hole 4”-6” wider than the root ball, and almost as deep.
  • The ball should sit flat and come about 2” above ground level.
  • Back fill with soil and/or compost, discard any rock or debris, mound back fill on sides, but not on top of root ball, cover root ball with 2” of mulch.

Watering is key

Watering is crucial for new plants, but exact amounts or schedules vary based on factors like age, species, sunlight, soil, weather, and season.

Your new plants need consistency to ensure a healthy life. Typically, it takes plants at least two years to fully develop a sustainting root system. 

  • Do not rely on the rain to water your plants. 
    • Check on them, often. To help find your new plants’ watering needs, we recommend checking them daily for the first 2-3 weeks, at least.
  • It’s all about the SOIL! Checking your soil is the best way to know if your plant needs more or less water.
    • The soil should be moist, meaning it can be easily pushed with your fingers.

If it’s too wet, the soil will feel muddy. In this case, allow the soil to dry out until it becomes moist again.

If it’s too dry, the soil will be hard and difficult to penetrate. Start watering until it reaches a moist state.

  • DON’T RELY ON IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OR RAIN. Rain and irrigation systems help, but it does not guarantee enough water is being provided. 

Stress

When moving your plants from the nursery to their new environment, they may experience some signs of stress. This is completely normal, and there’s no need to be overly concerned. Below are a couple of things to remember when your plant seems stressed out: 

  • Long spells of dry or wet weather can cause your plant to stress.

  • Normal signs of stress are leaf wilt and the browning or yellowing of needles/leaves.

Don’t worry, they will recover!

Time of the Season

When you plant your vegetation, the time of the year can determine how you care for them. 

Spring & Summer

  • Move mulch back 2 inches and feel if the soil is moist. If it is, you’re good. If its not, give it a good drink.
  • Shrubs can be watered for a shorter time (10-15 minutes). 

Fall & Winter

  • Evergreens must be watered through winter.
  • Soak root ball every few weeks if we don’t have rain or snow.
  • Use the bucket method if you don’t want to stay outside in the cold!
  • Deciduous plants require less water since they drop their leaves.
  • Water every 5 weeks if there is no rain or snow.

Our Warranty

If you choose Schmittel’s Nursery in St. Louis for your outdoor needs, we provide a warranty for the products you purchase. 

  • 6 Months at 50% for shrubs and trees taken off the lot to be planted by you!
  • Any trees & shrubs we plant for you includes a 1 year, 1 replacement warranty (inquire more at our front desk).

Planting is as easy as 1, 2, 3 with the help of Schmittel’s Nursery. Contact us if you have any additional questions, or stop by our nursery located at 13801 Marine Ave. Maryland Heights, MO 63043.

We look forward to helping you!