When you’ve planted an ornamental tree, shrub, or plant you need to make sure you do everything you can to get it off to a great start. To establish the plant so it will thrive in those all-important days after first being planted.

As we explained in our article and video; How to plant a pot grown tree or shrub; you must give your plant a good watering so the roots can quickly bag all the essential nutrients they need.

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But another great way you can help your plant or ornamental tree get established is by mulching around its base. By mulching straight after planting you will be locking in the moisture in the ground (preventing evaporation), and it will reduce competition from weeds. And you really don’t want weeds hanging around.

The best thing about mulching? It’s so easy to do. Our simple three step process to successful mulching is explained in the video below.

How to mulch plants, shrubs, and ornamental trees

Step-by-step process to mulching an ornamental tree

1 - Put a barrier layer down. This will help smother any weeds. In our case in the video below we simply used old feed bags we made out of brown paper. But there are plenty of other things you could use as a base layer including cardboard, an old cotton rug, and even wool carpeting. Remember not to use anything with manmade fibres as we do of course want the base layer to biodegrade and break down over time.

2 - Add an extra layer to hold the barrier layer in place. The best thing to use for this is wood chippings. But you could also use grass clippings, chipped bark, and of course your own homemade compost. Whatever you use it just needs to be able to hold the barrier layer down. And, over time, this layer too will feed and enrich the soil. Ensure the layer is 5 - 10cms deep.

3 - Make sure the top layer is not touching the trunk of the tree or plant as this could cause it to rot. Just clear it away a little if it is doing.

And that’s it. A very simple but really effective way to give your ornamental tree a really good start to its life in your garden.

Shop our ornamental trees for a great choice of plants for your garden all ready to be shipped to your door from our nursery in Norfolk.