The hole has been dug, the caliche punched through, and you've tested the drainage. Now you can actually plant.
Everything has been prepared and you're ready to plant your desert tree or shrub.
Planting
Remove the plant gently from container. Place the plant in the hole and make sure that the top of the root ball is even with the top of the hole. As you add the backfill, press the soil against the root ball firmly. You may want to maintain a basin in the soil around the tree. The basin should be as large in diameter as the root ball. This will help keep water from running off, and provide a “dish” to hold water.
Do Not Amend Soil
If the trees and shrubs you are planting are really desert trees and shrubs or have been adapted to that kind of climate, then you will NOT need to amend the soil. Amending the soil with organic matter will encourage the roots to stay within the hole, and very soon the plant will become root bound and die. Simply refill the hole with backfill. If you’re planting in winter or late fall, do not add nitrogen fertilizer, because this will encourage the plant to leaf out. In winter, you want the plant to build its root system, not leaf out.
Water
Water the plant right after you have planted it. Build a berm around the basin you’ve already created with excess soil. Now fill the basin to the brim and let it percolate down to the roots. Once the water has disappeared into the ground, water again. Keep watering regularly (at least once a week for a year) or until the plant is established.
You may want to prune your new plant, especially if there was root damage. Plants generally build their root system in direct relation to the amount of plant above ground. If some of the roots have been damaged, or have been cut, then you’ll want to prune some of the plant above ground.
Stake
Many plants, particularly trees, planted in the desert are susceptible to high winds unless planted in protected areas. If the tree is in a windy place, then you’ll need to stake them.
Here’s how: first, find a material that won’t cut through the tree’s bark. Generally a piece of rubber hose, cloth, even stockings will work. This will be placed against the tree’s bark, to hold in place the guide wires or rope. Now, drive two stakes into the ground, one on each side of the plant, oriented at a right angle to the wind direction. For instance, if the prevailing wind is from the north, place the two stakes on the east and west side of the plant. Now, tie the tree to the stakes using the material you’ve chosen as a buffer for the tree and your tying material.
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