The month of October has always been famous for Halloween, a highly anticipated holiday to almost every kid. Less known is the fact that October’s fall weather is also an ideal time to plant a tree seedling. This year why “go out on limb” so to speak, and use Halloween as a way to invite kids to care for our planet by giving them a tree seedling to plant!
You can buy tree seedlings at almost any nursery for about at $1.oo a seedling, which usually comes tucked into a tiny burlap bag of soil. Even if buying tree seedlings to hand out to every child is to expensive, why not buy just 5 seedlings instead of that extra bag of candy? Children are essentially the seedlings of our planet’s future, giving them a seedling is giving them, and our planet a long lasting positive gift.
Below is a step-by-step instructions as well as a list of reasons why to plant trees so you can attach it to your seedling.
HOW TO PLANT YOUR SEEDLING
- First, dig a hole that is wide and deep enough to cover the whole root system.
- Pick up the seedling by the base of the stem, and make sure not to bruise the bark.
- Take out any stray stones and twigs out of the hole, they create air pockets that can dry out the roots.
- Place the roots straight down into the hole being careful not to bunch, spiral, double-over or bend roots.
- Cover the seedlings roots with soil . Don’t bury any live branches or leave any roots exposed to the air.
- Pat soil firmly with your hands or toes to remove air pockets.
- Surround the seedling with mulch (wood chips, leaves, shredded pine or cedar bark)
- Watch your seedling grow!
5 REASONS WHY TO PLANT A TREE
- Tree’s filter pollution from the air and supply us with oxygen
- Tree’s recycle water
- Tree’s create shelter from wind and rain
- Tree’s provide homes for animals
- Tree’s make food for humans and wildlife
