6 Steps for Successful Spring Planting

In the desert southwest, spring planting can be surprisingly stressful on plants. Here are 6 steps you can take to minimize their stress and get your plants off to the best possible start.

I understand the appeal of planting in the spring.

Nurseries and garden centers are well-stocked. This might be the only time of year you’ll find a particular plant.

After the winter hiatus, you’re itching to get back to gardening. You want to beautify your garden and enjoy it now.

But in the desert southwest, spring planting can be surprisingly stressful on plants. Here’s what makes spring planting a challenge.

The Problem with Spring Planting

Spring is hot, dry, and windy. And unlike other parts of the country, there are no “April showers.” It’s not unusual to go three months without rain in the spring.

The spring planting season in the desert is short. The generally accepted last frost date in Tucson is March 15. And in 4 of the past 6 years, the first 100-degree day occurred in April!

There isn’t much time for plants to acclimate before it’s June — the hottest, driest, most challenging month of the year.

So while you can plant almost any plant in spring, it’s not the easiest time for plants to get established.

Tips for Successful Spring Planting

In spite of the challenges, I still plant in spring (although much less than I used to) and I expect you will, too. Over the years, I’ve learned some steps you can take to decrease stress on your plants and help them get off to the best possible start.

Why New Plants Need Extra TLC

Let’s start by taking a look at the recent journey your plant has made from the greenhouse to the garden center.

Most likely your plant was grown in a greenhouse protected from sun, wind, and temperature extremes. Many plants sold in hot desert climates are grown in greenhouses in mild-weathered California. It’s not unusual for plants to spend their early days covered by 30 – 50% shade cloth.

Then, it’s moved to a nursery or garden center (its first stressful event) where it’s still in a somewhat protected environment. Plants are generously watered and protected by a roof or shade cloth. Crowded conditions increase humidity and block wind.

The day you buy a plant is the end of its previously cushy life and the beginning of its life as a tough desert survivor.

Here are steps you can take to make its transition as smooth as possible.

1. Make the Trip Home Stress-free

Once you buy a plant, the trip home can be stressful. You may put it in a hot car and then chill it with your AC. Some plants experience a shock from these temperature extremes that they never recover from… before you even get it home.

I try to shop early in the day before it gets hot. I park in the shade and leave my windows down while shopping. Then I leave my AC off on the trip home.

2. Give Your Plant Time to Acclimate

Once you get your plant home, it experiences a major change in its environment and the care it receives. So give a plant a week or so to acclimate before planting.

During this period, keep it out of wind and direct sun and give it ample water. Plants at nurseries and garden centers are used to heavy-handed watering, and small nursery pots dry out quickly, so check it daily.

If you forget to water just once, your new plant could be toast. I’ve had this happen and it makes me feel like a terrible gardener. 😢

3. Wait for a Good Day to Plant

If possible, plant on a mild, cloudy, still day. (You can stop laughing now.)

As you can imagine, there aren’t many spring days that meet these criteria — hence the argument for fall planting! — but at least try to avoid a hot, sunny, windy day.

4. Dig a Proper Hole

Dig a hole that’s the same depth as your plant’s root ball and three times as wide.

While it will be tempting to skimp on the size of the hole, don’t. Putting your plant in a half-baked hole will doom it from the start.

Digging in desert soil can be tough. If you have rock-hard soil, digging a hole is a process, and you may want to start a day or two ahead of the day you hope to plant. (Soaking my soil and chipping away at a hole a bit at a time works for me.)

Get “must know” details on digging holes,
backfilling, and amending soil here:
How to Dig a Hole in the Desert

5. Backfill and Water

Gently remove the plant from its pot, disturbing its roots as little as possible. Place the plant in the hole and refill it with the loosened native soil that you just dug up.

Instead of amending the hole, it’s a better idea to top dress with compost, which will gradually break down, adding nutrients and organic matter to your soil.

If you add mulch of any kind (organic or gravel), don’t let it touch your new plant. Leave about 3 inches of space between the mulch and your plant.

Then water thoroughly.

The exception is cactus and other succulents. Wait a week or two after planting to water.

Speaking of cactus, better nurseries will mark the direction the cactus was grown and you should plant it in the same orientation to minimize sun scald. Yes, even cactus can get burned from too much sun.

How Often to Water New Plants

It’s critical that new plants get enough water. Here’s a good rule of thumb for most plants.

Weeks 1 & 2	Every 3 – 4 days
Weeks 3 & 4	Every 6 – 7 days
Weeks 5 & 6	Every 7 – 10 days
Weeks 7 & 8	Every 10 – 14 days

6. Give Your Plant Temporary Shade

Your plant has already been through a big change. Suddenly exposing it to full sun is a surefire way to fry it.

You can cover a small plant with shade cloth, screening, or any semi-sheer lightweight fabric. Or you can strategically place a patio chair or small table to shade your plant during the hottest part of the day.

You can shade a large plant or group of plants with a patio umbrella.

If these ideas won’t fly with your HOA, you may have to get creative. I’ve provided “stealth shade” in my front yard with strategic placement of yard art, tall planters, patio furniture, and even my parked car.

I’ve covered small plants and ground covers with realistic-looking “faux” plants. No one has ever noticed. 😉

Gradually reduce the number of hours per day your plant is exposed to the sun. Sometimes it takes a few weeks or even an entire season for a plant to fully adjust to desert sun.

Recap: Spring Planting Steps

While some plants prefer to be planted in the spring (i.e., citrus, palms, and succulents), most plants do better when planted in the fall.

However, most desert plants can be successfully planted in the spring, provided you give them the TLC they need:

• Don’t stress your plant on the trip home – no hot cars, no AC.
• Let the plant acclimate for a week or so before planting. During this time place it in shade and water frequently.
• Wait for a good day to plant — moderate temperature, no wind, and some cloud cover.
• Dig an appropriate hole. You may want to start this a day or two ahead.
• Backfill with loosened native soil. Water according to new plant guidelines.
• Provide temporary shade.

Do you prefer to plant in spring or fall?
Please share your experience in the comments below!

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Additional References

Watering Your Tucson Garden: Are You Doing it Right?

New Plant Watering Guide, SummerWinds Nursery