Six ways to help trees and shrubs establish quickly

Watch our No Fuss Guide to planting shrubs.

The dormant season (from November to March) is a great time to plant pot-grown and bare-root trees, as long as they are fully hardy and deciduous. If they are borderline hardy or evergreen, wait until late April or May, when there is less risk of severe frost. Whatever the time of year, avoid planting in extreme conditions, such as very cold or very hot weather. Mild, damp conditions are best.

When digging the planting hole, make sure that it is deep enough to accommodate the roots comfortably and at least 10cm wider all the way around the rootball. Use a border fork to loosen the base and sides of the hole to allow the roots to grow into the surrounding soil. As you back fill the hole with compost, firm it down gently with your foot.

Whether you are planting pot-grown or bare-root trees and shrubs, here are six tips to help them get off to a great start.

Make sure that the compost is thoroughly damp to make it easier to knock the plant from its pot, limiting damage to the roots.

Add a little bagged or homemade compost to the planting hole before planting. This will improve drainage on clay soil and encourage moisture retention on sandy soil.

Discover how to find out your soil type.

Where roots have coiled around inside the pot, carefully pull them out of the compost to encourage them to grow into the soil.

These natural soil fungi connect to plant roots, increasing the area over which the plant can take up water and nutrients from the soil.

Covering the soil with a 5cm layer of compost around the base of new plants will help retain moisture at the roots.

Give new plants a good soak every 10-14 days when they are in leaf - more frequently in hot weather or on dry, sandy soils.