The current recommendation is not to amend the soil as too much amendment (which many people would do) creates an artificially ideal environment which the roots never want to leave! That being said, I do usually mix a little soil conditioner in with the native soil (so that you truly are conditioning and not replacing). Probably the amount of conditioner is no more than 20% of the soil around the plant after it is all mixed in. If there is loose soil at the base of the plant, that usually falls off and I mix that in instead. I like to have enough organic matter in the soil in the area to attract worms to come and do their thing!

Be sure to press the soil in firmly around the sides (with your shoe if the hole is big, with your hand if it is small) and down into the hole. This eliminates air pockets and gets the dirt settled around the roots (if you don't do this it will settle later on it's own and leave part of your rootball exposed. Water well at planting time and mulch well but don't pile the mulch against the stem of the plant.

Water as needed if we don't get rain - check with your finger to see if the area is dry to be sure. Plants like the laurels and gardenias won't show drooping foliage so you can't judge by just looking at them. When I water, I make sure to get some water on the top of the rootball as well as around the sides.

Hope that helps.

Thanks so much!!

Sandy