Gardening legend Alan Titchmarsh has issued a serious warning to British gardeners about a common planting error that could cost them thousands of pounds. The 77-year-old, best known as the principal presenter of BBC Gardeners' World from 1996 to 2002 and host of Ground Force, highlighted the mistake in Country Life magazine.
The Costly Mistake: Planting Too Deep
Titchmarsh cautioned that planting trees too deeply, especially those 10 feet or taller, can lead to their decline and death within a few years. Such trees can cost tens of thousands of pounds, making the error financially devastating. He recounted touring an estate with Tony Kirkham, former head of the arboretum at Kew Gardens, where they observed numerous struggling trees. "Some were already dead, towering specimens devoid of leaf and brittle of wood; swarthy skeletons against a forget-me-not-blue sky. The cause of the problem in each and every case was deep planting," Titchmarsh wrote.
He explained that container-grown trees or those transferred to containers later are particularly vulnerable to depth changes. The rootball surface should sit level with the soil surface, not 7-11 inches deeper as seen in the sad specimens. "One can bemoan the waste of money on a tree that cost several thousand pounds, but, more than that, the loss of a formerly healthy specimen is agonising for a gardener to behold," he added.
How to Avoid the Mistake
Titchmarsh advised gardeners to look for the swollen stem base just above the emerging roots, which indicates the correct planting depth. "Let that swollen stem base by your guide and your means of ensuring the survival of both the tree and your sanity," he said.
Additional Advice: Deterring Rats
Earlier, Titchmarsh urged gardeners to maintain short grass to deter rats, as rats prefer cover and longer grass. He also recommended ensuring compost heap structures are solid to prevent rats from nesting in the warm environment.
