For a gallon pot dig a square hole if possible that is 1 ft on each side (2X pot width). It should be as deep as the soil level in the pot or slightly more. You can choose to fill the hole back with the original soil or amend the dug soil to add nutrients. If amending the soils, collect them in a container and mix in the amendments. (See my amendment mix below).

Fill the hole three times with water and let it fully soak in each time. Before the first filling I add a cup of my amendment mix evenly across the bottom. The plant is removed from the pot and if roots were girdling the pot cut them at a number of spots and spread them out. The plant is place in the middle of the hole after the third soaking. Fill back with the original soil or the amended soil from the container where it was mixed. Press the filled soil firmly in place.

Slowly soak the filled square area with a hand held hose until water starts to puddle. This could take 5 to 10 minutes. Place one-half to one inch of compost on top of the square planted area. Thoroughly soak the added compost. Then add one or more inches of light-colored mulch on the planted area and a small distance beyond. Check the planting about every third day for signs of wilting and add additional water when needed.

My amendment mix: 2 cups of 6:2:2 dry fertilizer pellets + 2 cups of compost + ½ cup of green sand + 1 tablespoon of rock phosphate. Scale up as needed for multiple plantings. My amended soil has two cups of this mix stirred into the original soil in the storage container which is then added back to the hole.

An additional measure that is being examined for effectiveness is to place a thin flagstone or other impervious item into one side of the planting hole of a height that extends above the mulch level. This will provide a crevice for future slow soaking of the planted area. This should be especially useful when placed on the downhill side of sloped planted areas to capture rainwater or added hose water.

(Submitted by Jerry Morrisey)