who is tiller.. ??? and why are you waiting for him/her .. is he related to godot????

and why are you planting in the high heat of summer...

cant you hold the potted plants until the proper fall planting time ????

just because you buy it.. does NOT mean you HAVE TO plant it ...

cant make heads nor tails of the pic .. somewhat artful.. but what is it.. lol ..

ken

Lol, Ken, Tiller is, indeed, somewhat like Godot! I could hold the pots, but they have already been in my possession for a year...longer than I have a right to, really. One of them is that P. omorika that everyone told me should get into the ground right away if I want a fighting chance at saving it??? I have had success enough in the past planting in summer. If need be they can have some shade and they will get enough water. I even have success transplanting full rosebushes in the heat of summer, when everyone told me it was futile. It is all about taking the right care, I guess! Other landscapers plant evergreens year-round as well. I guess I never really understood the fall-planting rule-of-thumb for conifers.

The picture is of the two eggs in the nest in my spruce. It was REALLY hard to get a good shot, momma did a good job hiding it!

I don't see any reason why you can't take a plant out of the pot and put it in the ground.

After seeing what a plant does after a few months in the ground, the roots actually loosen up, I think you are much better getting it in the ground as is. If you feel it necessary go back in September or March and give the plant a shake, tease the roots and you are set. You'll see that all the weak, fine, compressed roots die off. At this time its easier to idenfity the flare or girdling roots too so you can adjust the height. Snip the minor girdlers now and the others next year.

Its SO MUCH easier than trying to bareroot a plant while its dormant straight out of the pot, tearing through the roots and all. I've had adbsolutely terrible, terrible results doing this and will not recommend this ever to anyone planting conifers specifically. Its maybe fine for plants 1 gallon or less but thats it. I've had much better results with the former so that is how I'm going to roll for now.

I guess I never really understood the fall-planting rule-of-thumb for conifers.

Since the growth has hardened off, I just transplanted three conifers this morning! I'm a avid transplanter during the months of June and August. I have my Stanley & Sons order coming this week that will get planted out in high shade upon its arrival. Proper after care is key for these plants as you mentioned.

So far the only plants I've lost where planted during the dormant season. Odds are many of them where dead to begin with.

I agree Will, I have never understood why some people think it is better to leave a plant in a small black pot through the summer than to plant it in the ground.

Even untangling the roots a bit, I have never had a problem with planting a plant in the summer. Yes, you have to water the plant, but that's a given no matter when you plant.

Working at a garden center for four years through high school and part of college, I have never experienced somebody getting a refund for, or complaining about the health of their trees and shrubs that they bought and planted during the high heat of the summer.

Ken, where did you come up with your "theory"?

It is plausable - Plants put down better roots in cooler conditions. In the fall, the air is cool, but the ground is still relatively warm, allowing for optimum root growth. (by the way, only 102 days left 'til fall, and I'm counting). That said, if you have a potted plant, plant it. It doesn't do a plant well to sit in a scorching black pot all summer - you'd have to water it every single day. IF you can keep it watered, it is best to plant it before it heats up even more. You could even gamble on a nice, wet July - HAH!