RE: QUESTION RE FILIPPI'S PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

Sylvia:
I am not familiar with Filippi's planting instructions, but research has
conclusively shown that holes that are deeper than the root ball of your
plant are no more successful at establishing a plant than those that are the
same depth as the root ball, though the hole should be 2-3 times as wide.
The only exception to this would be if there were a hardpan layer that
needed to be penetrate. It pains me to think of all those years, and all
those trees and shrubs for which I dug unnecessarily enormous holes,
painstakingly mixing in amendments with the native soil before backfilling.
Not to mention the difficulty of gauging just how high to plant to insure
the result wouldn't be below grade after rains and settling. Uugghh!

 On a hill, the general practical recommendation is for a back cut into the
slope that will yield a somewhat localized level area for your plant and
basin, which ends up being semi-circular against the back slope.  Temporary
is okay on the watering basin, as you only really need it for the initial
establishment phase, after which it should be knocked down anyway.  And
don't worry about the clay on the slope; if there is a grade, gravity will
take care of the water.  If the soil is just too heavy for that plant, even
on a slope, then choose another plant!
Good luck!
Karrie Reid
Folsom Foothill Gardener

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-medit-plants@ucdavis.edu [o*@ucdavis.edu]
On Behalf Of Sylvia Sykora
Sent: Thursday, October 09, 2008 2:12 PM
To: medit-plants@ucdavis.edu
Subject: QUESTION RE FILIPPI'S PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

I'd like to follow Filippi's planting and watering instructions when I plant
several dozen Cistus salviifolius prostratus along the bottom edge of a long
(150') slope bordering our property.

In spite of good drainage due to the slope, I wonder if our native clay soil
will drain well enough for me to use the deep planting holes Filippi
recommends.  Further, I foresee the watering basins his plans require - made
of soil around each plant - will quickly be demolished, if not by natural
erosion then by the hooves of the local deer herd.

Has anyone in the San Francisco Bay Area used Filippi's planting suggestions
on a steeply sloping site?

I'd be grateful for any advice or experience you'd care to share.

Thank you.

Sylvia Sykora
Oakland, CA
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