If you’re looking to add some elderberry to your backyard, you’re in for a treat! These plants are hardy and rewarding, but getting them off to a great start is key to ensuring they stay vibrant and productive for years to come. Here’s my go-to guide on how to plant an elderberry tree the right way.
Timing is Everything
When it comes to planting elderberry, you’ve got two main windows of opportunity. You can either get them in the ground in early spring (March or April) or wait until the fall (September and October) when the weather cools down.
Pick the Perfect Spot
Elderberries are pretty easygoing and can thrive in all sorts of spots, often spreading happily once they’re settled. In the wild, you’ll usually spot them along forest edges or tucked away in sunny clearings. To make your elderberry feel right at home in your garden, look for a spot with:
- Full sun to partial shade
- Rich, organic soil (lots of humus!)
- Moist, well-draining earth
- Loamy or sandy soil with a touch of lime
How to Plant Your Elderberry: Step-by-Step
Once you’ve picked your spot, it’s time to get your hands dirty. Start by letting your potted sapling soak in a bucket of water while you prep the area. Then, follow these steps:
- First, loosen up the soil nice and deep to give the roots room to breathe.
- Clear out any weeds, old roots, or large clumps of dirt.
- Mix in some compost or organic fertilizer (like horn meal) to the top layer of soil.
- Dig a hole that’s about twice as wide as the plant’s root ball.
- Gently remove the soaked elderberry from its nursery pot.
- Loosen the root ball slightly with your fingers to encourage outward growth.
- Place the sapling right in the center of the hole.
- Fill the hole back in with soil and give it a gentle pat down.
- Give it a good, deep watering right away.
Give Them Some Elbow Room
If you’re planting more than one elderberry, don’t crowd them! These plants have shallow roots that love to spread out. Make sure to keep them at least six feet away from walls or structures. If you’re planting a row of bushes, leave about three to four feet of space between each one.
