How to Plant a Weeping Pea Tree
- 1). Prepare a site that receives full to partial sunlight and has well-drained soil for early spring planting. Weeping pea trees prefer to grow in soil that has a pH of 4.5 to 8.5. Check the pH of your soil with a soil testing kit.
- 2). Break up the soil with a pitchfork after the final winter thaw, and add the required amendment. Which amendment you use will depend on the soil test result. Amend with lime if the pH measures below 4.5 and with peat moss if the test reads above 8.5. Check the package instructions for allocation amounts.
- 3). Add 4 inches of compost to the amended soil, and dig a hole for the weeping pea tree. Dig the hole 1 to 2 feet wider than the actual root ball of the weeping pea tree. The extra space will give the roots room to expand.
- 4). Remove the tree from its nursery container, and carefully place it in the freshly dug hole. Make sure that 1/3 of the root ball extends above the ground, and backfill.
- 5). Apply a 3- to 6-inch layer of mulch around the base of the weeping pea tree. The mulch will help with drainage, protect the young roots and reduce weed growth under its base.
- 6). Water the weeping pea tree generously. Allow a garden hose to trickle for several hours, or use a soaker hose. Provide the tree with 1 inch of water every week until it is established. Established weeping pea trees require supplemental watering during times of drought.
- 7). Fertilize the tree in the fall using a water-soluble, nitrogen-based fertilizer mix. Spread the fertilizer under the canopy of the tree, directly over the mulch. Read the manufacturer's instructions before applying.
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