Do you want to try and keep your live Christmas tree around for years to come? To do this, you’ll need to acclimate your Christmas tree to outdoor living, which can be difficult after the tree’s been inside for several weeks—but it is possible to plant a Christmas tree outside.
Read on if you’re interested in learning how to plant your Christmas tree outside. For even more advice, check out our gardening tips.
Is the root ball intact?
For your Christmas tree to survive outside, it’s important the root ball is still intact. To make sure this essential part of your tree stays healthy, water it and provide top-quality soil while it’s indoors. Be careful to not damage the root ball when transferring your Christmas tree from indoors to outdoors.
Preparing to plant your tree
The first step in planting any tree is properly preparing the ground. Choose a great place for your tree, and then start digging. For most trees, you’ll want to dig a hole that’s at least 2 feet in diameter and 18 inches deep. This should provide plenty of room for the roots to spread and grow.
Once you’ve dug the hole, collect all the dirt in a bag or wheelbarrow, and move it somewhere warm. This will keep the soil from freezing. You’ll also want to keep the ground around your freshly-dug hole from freezing by filling it with a plastic bag stuffed with leaves.
Acclimate your Christmas tree to cold weather
It’s best to avoid transferring your tree straight from the indoors to the outdoors. The drastic drop in temperatures may be enough to kill your tree. Instead, move your tree to a garage or similar covered area after Christmas. This will allow your Christmas tree to slowly acclimate to cooler temperatures. After keeping your tree in the garage for a few days, you can transfer it to the hole you dug.
Keeping your Christmas tree safe
After planting your Christmas tree, provide it with the same care as you would any other tree. Apply a layer of mulch to provide your tree’s roots with nutrients and insulation. If your area doesn’t see much snow or rain in winter, consider watering your tree every few weeks. After winter, start watering your tree as you normally would.
Be sure to also regularly prune your Christmas tree. If you don’t have experience with pruning, consider contacting a local arborist.
Find the perfect Christmas tree
Planting a Christmas tree in your yard all starts with finding the perfect tree. You’ll want a tree that’s healthy and young. Visit a local nursery, and let an expert help you find a great tree. Tree experts can also offer advice on transferring a tree from indoors to outdoors in your local climate.
If you’re in need of a Christmas tree, visit Jones Nursery. Our beautiful nursery is home to a variety of amazing plant species. We also provide all the supplies you need to take care of your plants.