Cornelius Nurseries Bed Preparation

Preparing your garden bed properly is one of the most important gardening tasks you will perform.

Cornelius Nurseries recommends the following for approximately 100 square feet of bed area (length times width equals your bed area in square feet):

1. Remove grass, mortar, rocks, boards, hard clay, etc. from proposed bed area.

2. Cultivate existing soil 6" to 8" deep. If the soil is very tight (hard clay content), work 20 pounds of agriculture gypsum into the soil during cultivation.

3. Cornelius Texas Certified Nursery Professionals suggest blending the following materials into the existing soil:

27 bags of Cornelius Soil Mix

3 lbs. of Cornelius Tree and Shrub Fertilizer -or-

2 to 4 cubic foot bales of sphagnum peat moss, 1 yard top soil, and

3 lbs. of Cornelius Tree and Shrub Fertilizer.

4. Mix additives in either of the above recommendations thoroughly. As a result of these amendments, bed will be at least 4 inches above the lawn or existing grade.

5. 1/2 lb. Amaze weed control for shrub beds only. Follow label directions. DO NOT use in beds where seeds are to be sown.

6. Plant the plants at the same ground level as they are growing in the container or burlap. (Exception: Azaleas and roses - see individual Cornelius information sheets.)

7. Water plants thoroughly making sure that no air pockets remain around the roots of the plants. To reduce planting shock and to insure a vigorous healthy root system, use a root stimulator solution as per directions. Use at the time of planting and at weekly intervals for the first two months.

8. Mulch the entire bed area to conserve moisture and retard weed growth using the following amounts: 5 bags Cornelius Pine Bark Mulch (3 c.f.) or 5 bags Cornelius Deco Bark Mulch (3 c.f.)

9. Thoroughly water the entire bed area after planting. Texas Certified Nursery Professionals at Cornelius recommend continued use of a root stimulator every week as per directions for at least 2 months on newly planted shrubs and trees.

If you have any additional questions, Cornelius' Texas Certified Nursery Professionals are always available to help you at any of our locations.