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It is probable that as time goes on much more detailed and completedata will be published regarding safe planting seasons for the differentlife-zones of the country, thus enabling planters to eliminate nearly all of the guesswork which now exists, when one is called upon to executework in an unfamiliar territory. Evergreen Plants (Coniferous and Broad-leaved). Theplanting seasons for evergreens follow somewhat closely those fordeciduous plants. It is probable that as our knowledge of broad-leaved evergreens increases, their planting season can be shown to dothis also. There are now about fifty known species of broad-leavedevergreens which are hardy in our northern climate if handled properly.It is important to know what are the requirements surrounding suc-cessful transplanting of evergreens. Probably the most importantseasonal requirement for transplanting of evergreens is that the soilmoisture shall be plentiful just prior to the time of transplanting inthe location from which they are taken. In other words, in spite ofall the old notions to the contrary, fall planting of evergreens shouldnot start till the fall rains have adequately moistened the soil. Fallplanting of evergreens can be successfully done as late as any otherplanting, provided the ground is moist when it freezes. It is better towait for the fall rains than to plant too early and subject the plants toa hot, dry spell immediately afterward. In the spring, while it ispossible to delay the planting of evergreens past the safe date fordeciduous stock, due to the fact that they are practically alwaysmoved with a ball of earth, yet the best season is the earliest possibleone. In both spring and fall planting, early planting has the advan-tage of allowing the plant to start root growth before the advent of thevery hot weather of summer and the drying winds of winter, which sapthe moisture content of the plant from the pores of the persistent leaves.Such sorts as biota, thuja, and taxus, which seem to establish themselvesreadily, can probably be successfully planted later in the season thanothers like picea, abies, tsuga, pinus—except nigra (austriaca), montana(Mughus), and Strobus—and chamcecyparis. Evergreens of the firsttype will be subjected to much loss if not transplanted in a fully dor-mant condition immediately prior to the beginning of growth in thespring or if transplanted at a time in the fall when root growth sufficientto fix the plant in its new soil surroundings cannot be developed be-cause of the lateness of the season. |
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