Garden planting: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What garden planting is

Garden planting sets shrubs, perennials, annuals or vegetables into prepared beds at the right depth and spacing, with soil amendments and mulch added and the plants watered in. People hire it when they want new beds filled quickly, or when they have plants on hand and no time or back to do the digging.

Signs you need it

  • You have a pile of nursery plants or seedlings that have been sitting in pots too long
  • A new bed is ready to plant, but the soil needs loosening and compost before anything goes in
  • Shrubs or perennials went into the ground last year and failed because they were set too deep or too shallow
  • You want a seasonal planting, such as spring annuals or fall bulbs, done on schedule
  • The beds are large enough that planting by hand would take more time than you have

What the pro does

  • The planter checks the bed for drainage, sun, existing roots and the spacing each plant needs
  • Planting holes are dug about twice the width of the root ball, with the root ball set so the top sits at grade
  • Compost or other amendment is worked into the backfill where the soil is thin or poor
  • Plants are set, backfilled and firmed so there are no air pockets around the roots
  • Mulch is spread around each plant without piling it against the stems, and everything is watered in

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Number of plants and the size of each one, from small perennials to large shrubs
  • Whether the plants are bought by the planter or supplied by you
  • Soil condition, such as compacted clay or rocky ground, that slows digging
  • Amount of amendment and mulch needed for the bed
  • Access to the beds and the distance from where plants are unloaded
  • Whether removal of old plants, roots or weeds is part of the job
  • Whether watering is set up for the first weeks or left to the customer

What a written quote should spell out

  • The plant list with names, sizes and quantities, and who supplies them
  • The planting depth and spacing used for each plant
  • The soil amendments and mulch, including type and depth
  • Whether the old plants or weeds are removed before planting
  • The watering done at planting and the schedule for the first weeks
  • The plant warranty, if any, and what the customer must do to keep it valid

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Are the plants you are setting in the right position for their sun and water needs?
  • How deep do you plant shrubs and perennials, and how do you check the depth?
  • What amendment goes into the planting holes, and why for my soil?
  • Do you water the plants in at planting, and who waters them afterward?
  • Do you supply the plants, and can I see what you have before you buy?
  • What is the warranty on each plant, and what do I need to do to keep it valid?
  • How do you protect the roots if the plants wait in the yard before going in?

Red flags

  • They plant shrubs with the root ball buried below grade, which can slowly kill them
  • They wrap mulch tight around the stems or pile it against the trunks
  • They plant on dry, unprepared ground and say the water will take care of the rest
  • They leave plants in their pots sitting in the sun for days before planting
  • They set plants too close together and say they will grow into the space quickly

What you can do yourself

A homeowner can plant small annuals, perennials and vegetable starts on their own, digging holes twice the width of the root ball and watering them in. Call a pro for large shrubs or trees, for beds with heavy clay or buried roots, or when a large planting has to be done in a short window. Lift heavy root balls with your legs and use a helper for anything large.

Licenses and permits

Garden planting is commonly not licensed; tree planting, grading or irrigation work done alongside it may need separate licenses in many areas. Check with your state or local licensing agency before you hire for those.

Garden planting questions

How deep should a shrub be planted?

The top of the root ball should sit level with or slightly above the surrounding soil, not buried. Ask the planter to show you the depth on the first plant, and check it yourself on a few others.

Should I add compost to the planting holes?

It depends on the soil. Compost helps thin or poor soil, but it can cause problems if it is piled into a hole around roots in heavy clay. Ask the planter what they add and why.

How do I water newly planted shrubs?

New plants need consistent moisture while the roots spread into the surrounding soil. Ask the planter how often to water in the first weeks and how to tell when the soil is too dry or too wet.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

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