Buying plants in bulk for a landscaping project

Part 1

Write the specification first

A plant list for a large project should give, for each line, the botanical name, the size (height and, for trees, girth at 1 m), the container or root-ball size, and the number. Common names alone cause mix-ups: 'ashoka' can mean sita ashok or mast ashoka, which look nothing alike.

Size drives cost more than species. A 6–8 ft tree in a large bag costs many times a 2 ft sapling of the same species, but gives an established look years sooner. Mix sizes: larger trees at entrances and main avenues, smaller stock for green belts and forest planting.

Part 2

Check the nursery

Visit before ordering. Look for plants hardened in open sun, since stock raised only under shade net scorches when planted out. Check that the roots have not circled in the bag, the stems are straight and single-leadered, and the leaves are free of pests.

Ask for a sample batch and hold the nursery to the specification in writing. Tag the approved plants if the order is large.

Part 3

Transport and holding

Plants travel best in covered trucks in the cool part of the day, loaded upright with trees tied. Long trips in open trucks strip leaves and dry out root balls.

On site, keep a shaded holding area with water near the planting zone. Plants should go into the ground within a few days of arrival, not left in bags for weeks.

Part 4

Timing

Most outdoor planting should be done at the start of the monsoon, from June to August in most cities, or in the mild months after it. Planting large stock in April and May needs daily watering and shade and still loses more plants.

Part 5

Planting as well as supply

A supply-only order leaves the planting, watering and replacement to you. For projects where survival matters, a contract that covers supply, planting and the first year's care puts the risk of dead plants on the contractor. That is how we quote business projects: one written proposal with the plant list, the numbers and a fixed price.