How to Plant a Forsythia Hedge

Amend the soil with organic matter or humus if necessary. Organic matter, such as grass clippings, sawdust or sphagnum peat work well. Test the soil with a kit from a County Extension office. If it has less than 3 percent organic matter, amend it with 3 cubic yards of your choice of organic matter per 1,000 square feet.

Dig a hole to plant your forsythia, using a garden shovel. Make it approximately three times as large as the diameter of the pot. Plant the forsythia at the same depth it is in the pot from the nursery.

Backfill the hole with the dirt you removed with the shovel. Press the soil firmly into the hole to prevent air pockets.

Form a 1- to 2-inch-deep berm around the perimeter of the hole. This helps hold moisture in the soil.

Water the soil thoroughly so the moisture reaches down to the root zone. Check the soil level the next day or after several hours and fill it up again if settling occurred.

Irrigate the forsythia hedge once a week with enough water to moisten the roots, particularly during hot weather or dry seasons. This ensures the hedge grows properly.

Add 3 inches of mulch around the base of the plant to hold in moisture and reduce weeds. Pine straw or bark, hay or leaves work well.

Fertilize the forsythia hedge in March, May and July, once the hedge is established. Use a complete fertilizer, such as 8-8-8 or 12-4-8, and follow the label directions.