Soil preparation
Proper soil preparation is half the battle for successfully growing your plants. So read the instructions below carefully to get the most out of your plants and trees.
Planting in the open ground
- To best prepare the soil for planting, we recommend that you first make the soil completely weed-free. The soil can then be aerated by turning it; at least 30-50 cm deep for hedge and garden plants and at least 40-60 cm deep for trees. Don't just turn over the soil where the plant will be located, but also as much of the surrounding soil as possible. This will allow (excess) water to drain evenly in the garden, as the soil will be equally aerated everywhere. If you only dig a planting hole or trench where the plants are to be placed and do not dig into the surrounding soil deep enough, all the water will flow to where the plants are. In fact, that soil is the most permeable and aerated because it has been turned over. Water will sink towards these points, resulting in the roots being far too wet for too long, causing the plants to turn brown/yellow. This, in turn, can lead to dead plants. If existing paving, a wall or fencing makes it impossible to turn over the surrounding soil where the plants are to be planted, turn over the soil where the planting will take place several dozen centimetres deeper. Or use a bore to drill several holes in the paving as deep as possible. After all, excess water really needs to be able to flow away into the soil.
- If the soil structure is very firm, such as in new construction areas where heavy machinery has driven or soil that has not been turned over for a long time, it is especially important to fully and properly (deeply) aerate the soil. If you only turn over the top layer, there is a real chance that plants will not be able to take root properly. In addition, water will not be able to flow away, leaving plants with 'wet feet' in the ground. Many plants cannot withstand this and most likely will not survive.
This includes balcony and terrace plants, and Mediterranean plants (all potted plants). Always make sure there is a hole at the bottom of the pot or planter so that excess water can drain away.
- When turning the soil, we recommend mixing in organic fertilisers in the top 30 cm, such as compost, fertilised garden soil, potting soil or Heijnen planting soil. When using fertilised garden soil/compost (do not use too much!), make sure you mix it well with the existing soil. Plants should never be put directly into fertilised garden soil/compost. Due to high levels of fertiliser, leaf and root burn may occur. The organic materials, also known as humus, make for fertile soil and in the process also reduce nutrient leaching, keeping the soil aerated. Organic materials also allow earthworms and soil organisms to thrive in the soil, which in turn has a positive effect on water permeability and soil oxygen levels. The amount of organic material to be applied also depends on the type of soil in your garden and the needs of the plant varieties being planted. Sandy soils need many times more humus than loamy and clay soils, for example, but be careful: in some cases, plant varieties actually grow better on soil with low humus levels. So look carefully in the product description of the plant in question to see if there are certain special features.
- Once the soil has been sufficiently turned over (and any necessary humus added), the ground can be levelled and the plants can be put in the garden. Make sure the soil type/pH level matches the plant's needs. Indeed, some species need a specific acidic or alkaline soil, while other plants are more inclined to moist or even dry soil. We describe any specific soil requirements for each plant.
Potted plants
Soil preparation for potted or planter plants is different from that for plants placed in the open ground. For garden plants that will be put in a planter or pot, allowing excess water to drain is important. In addition, hydro pellets can be used at the bottom of the pot (good for water permeability), and it is important to always use potting soil in pots and planters. In fact, potting soil holds moisture many times better than the existing soil from your garden. Mix some organic fertiliser pellets into the potting soil, which allows the plant to grow well.
For all the tips & tricks regarding proper soil preparation and planting, see Step-by-step plan for planting terrace and balcony plants and potted Mediterranean plants.
Step-by-step plan for planting
When you have prepared the soil properly, the plants can be put in the garden or planter. Due to the great diversity of garden plants and trees, our plant experts have created a step-by-step plan for each (main) product group. See below which step-by-step plan is relevant to you.
Planting hedge plants
Planting garden plants
This includes perennials, ground-cover plants, ornamental grasses, border plants, butterfly plants, bee plants, herb plants, prairie plants, rock plants, climbers, ferns, pond plants, shrubs, conifers, standing trees, fruit plants and roses.
Planting trees
Planting terrace and balcony plants and potted Mediterranean plants
This includes tub plants
