If the landscaping bug has bit you, chances are you're eyeing the trees and shrubs at your local nursery. These tips can help give new plants a good start.

(1) TIMING: Bare-root trees and shrubs should be planted when they are dormant, so if the trees have started to leaf out in your part of the state, it's too late to plant bare-root stock. Unless your local nurseryman has extended the dormant phase by refrigerating bare root stock, head for the containers and balled and burlapped stock. Balled and burlapped or containerized plants can be transplanted almost any time of the year, but it's best to do it in the spring or fall and avoid the summer heat.

(2) PREPARATION: Dig a hole about twice as wide as the size of the root ball and about as deep, or very slightly less deep, than the ball. In heavy soils, roughen the compacted soil along the sides of the hole with the edge of the spade so that water will drain more freely and root growth will not be restricted.

Don't put gravel or stones in the bottom of the hole. Don't put granular fertilizer, manure, compost, hormones, or vitamin supplements in the planting hole. Dry fertilizers may burn emerging roots and organic matter may delay roots from spreading.

(3) PLANTING: For bare root stock, make a small mound in the center of the hole and spread the roots out evenly over it. For balled and burlapped stock, set the tree in the hole and remove the ties that hold the burlap to the root crown (at the top of the ball, where the roots join the trunk). Remove the materials if it's plastic or synthetic. Natural burlap does not have to be completely removed...Read More Planting Tips

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