Herbaceous Planting

Herbaceous plants, or non-woody plants, have specific soil, space, light, and nutrient requirements. FMR staff and ecologists will choose locations according to these plants' needs before you arrive, but as a vounteer, feel free to take the opportunity to ask questions and learn about the needs and differences of our native plants! We will use herbaceous plants suited for Zone 4 hardiness, which indicates a blustery winter and warm summer. (Minnesota has several different hardiness zones; to find out the hardiness zone of your area visit USDA.)

Volunteers planting natives on St. Paul bluff!

Planting process

Herbaceous planting is most successful when following these five steps:
1) Remove the plant from its container by tilting it on its side and gently squeeze or tap the sides. Small containers can be pulled apart to remove the plant without damaging it. Avoid pulling on the plant unless you do so very gently.

2) If the roots of the plant are wound around the soil ball, use a trowel edge or knife to slice down the four sides of the ball or use your hands to detangle the roots. Roots growing below the soil ball can be loosened or trimmed. If the roots are not wrapped around the soil ball, gently loosen the root ball.

3) Dig a hole in the soil approximately twice the size of the root ball. Back fill the hole if necessary to make the depth equal to the depth of the root ball.

4) Herbaceous plants should be planted flush with the soil line. Do not bury the plant so deep so as to cover the crowns. If a plant is buried too deeply the crowns and roots may rot, whereas if it is buried too shallow, they may dry out. If you are planting a container-grown plant it is best to slightly disturb or gently loosen some of the roots that may be compacted within the container's mold.

5) Water liberally.

Liberally adding water to a new plant.