First select a location

In selecting a location, take into consideration several factors. Sunlight, size of area and soil condition are among the primary concerns.

Sunlight--- Make sure the light conditions fit the requirements of the plant. If a tree or shrub requires 8 hours of sunlight a day, make sure that the area that you have chosen meets that requirement.

Size of area--- The tree or shrub that you have chosen may look small now but that will not always be that way. So make sure that you have chosen a item that will fit the size of the area in 5 to 10 years. Also look up when determing the size of the area to see if there are any utility lines overhead. If so, do not plant a tall tree that will start to interfere with the lines in a few years.

Soil condition--- If the soil in your location is good then there is no reason to amend the soil. If you are blessed with heavy clay soil, then you must make some preliminary plans. If you plant directly into the clay soil, then the odds are against the tree or shrub of surviving or at least doing well. The best alternative is to get some good soil and berm it up to about 8 inches to 1 foot deep and make the surface area quite a bit larger than the plant. By berming the soil, it will allow you to plant most the plant in good soil and have plenty of drainage.

Planting

Now you are ready to plant. Dig the hole twice as wide as the root ball, and no deeper than the height of the rootball. .The soil that you dig out of the hole is what you use to backfill around the rootball. No soil amendments are recommended when planting a tree or shrub: therefore, no compost, peat moss, or shredded bark should be added to the backfill. When backfilling, push the dirt in firmly with your hands---do not stomp it in with your feet.

After planting, build up a small 4 inch tall berm around the edge of the hole. This will help to retain the water as you pour it on the rootball.

Water the plant right after planting, in the bermed area. For the next week, water every other day with about a gallon of water. The second week, water about every third day and after that, water about once a week for the next few months. If rainfall of at least an inch a week is received after that, there will not be a need to hand water.

Remember: These are just guidelines. Using your index finger to check the soil for moisture is the best. More plants are killed from the kindness of overwatering, then by under-watering.