'Ian',

I totally agree with your suggestion provided that the soil containing
the roots of your trees is not dried out. Keep it moist.

Regards,
Emrys Davies.




"Ian Cundell" wrote in message
...
I planted two container grow silver birches (a multi-stem, 15 ft or so
B
Pendula and a 6ft or so Snow Queen) last September.

Both a currently dormant (as are all the many many birches in the
area,
St Albans) but I assume they will start moving in the not too distant
future.

I note that it seems to have been dry in the first quarter of the
year.
My garden is less of a bog than it usually is around now. The soil is
stoney clay glacial outwash. We are getting mild nightly frosts at the
moment.

I read words to the effect of 'water thoroughly once a week in the
first
growing season' in various sources.

So:

1) How much is thoroughly (in minutes with the hosepipe, per week)

2) When do I start doing this?

3) Oh, And when do I hit them with bonemeal?

I'm wary of drowning them because I have no real idea how wet the soil
down below is. But, obviously, I don't want to dessicate 'em!

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