It’s just a case of getting the right soil, the right levels of water and sunlight, enough space for the roots, and a careful eye to ensure that any issues are nipped in the bud.

Dig your planting hole wider than your conifers container. This helps ensure the surrounding soil is broken up, allowing your conifers roots to spread outwards. Fruiting bodies may also be visible on the needles, so look out for these. Treat your conifers against Needle Cast with fungicide. Watering: As they grow, conifers adapt to survive in dry conditions, but they need careful watering whilst they are young and still becoming established. Give them at least an inch of water weekly (if it hasn’t rained). They won’t survive if they get too dry during their first year or so of life.

How Deep To Plant Daffodil Bulbs

Conifers can be planted in early spring (March to May) and early fall (September to October). As with all plants, try to plant your conifers on an overcast day when the tree will lose less water through transpiration (the evaporation of water from plants).

While it can feel like a bit of a balancing act getting the conditions right for your fledgling conifer, once you get a feel for it and your plant begins to get established, you should find things easier. Water thoroughly until water comes out of the drainage holes. Water 2-3 times per week for the first several weeks and then once per week. For further watering, place your finger 5-8cm (2-3in) deep and water if the soil feels dry. Do not overwater. Take garden conditions into consideration and with a small amount of effective maintenance and your new conifer will be sprucing up your landscape with beautiful foliage for decades. Conifer Planting Advice While different varieties have varying needs, common problems with conifers tend to centre around the same things, so let’s take a look at the various issues you may encounter. 1) Not Enough WaterConifers lose moisture through their spiky needles, leaving them prone to dehydration. So, they really rely on root-sourced moisture. This becomes a problem on frosty days, as frozen soil doesn’t give out water. Conifers’ needles can brown as a result. You must take great care not to prune into old wood as the conifer tree will not regrow. How to care for your conifer tree

They’re big, bold, and vibrant, holding their colour year-round and providing a reminder in the lean months that Mother Nature will hold court again shortly. A soil-based mix with added material like composted leaf bark or leaf mould will help to hold more moisture, and to let air circulate around the roots. And give them access to some sunlight! Conifers will do well in full sun or partial shade, but they may begin to look sorry for themselves if you place them in full shade. Fir, Cedar, Cryptomeria, Spruce, and Pines are all whorl-branched conifers. The new branch growth occurs in spring and comes from the buds at the tips of the branches. Their natural shape requires little pruning but consider the following before making your first pruning cut. If the soil in the planting area is compacted, dig it over to loosen it – this will encourage the conifers’s roots to spread out. With heavy or sandy soils, dig in organic matter, such as garden compost, over a larger area (rather than in the planting hole) to improve the soil structure.Just remember that they’re thirstier than you might expect, that good moisture retention and good drainage are both required, and the over-zealous pruning will cause way more harm than good. And if you see water seeping out from the bottom of the pot, this can be a good indication that the roots are taking up too much space in the soil or that you’re using the wrong compost. Ask in your local garden centre if you need advice on the specific compost mix for the conifer(s) you’re looking to grow.