Planting Trees and Shrubs the Easy Way with Planter Tabs

August 25, 2026 · 2 min read

Late winter and early spring is a great time to plant trees and shrubs. The soil is moist and plants have time to settle their roots before summer. Get the planting hole right and add a long-lasting feed, and you'll set them up for years.

What are planter tabs?

Daltons Landscaper Planter Tabs are 5g tablets of controlled-release fertiliser granules bound with a biodegradable resin. You place them below the soil surface beside the root ball, where they release nutrients steadily for 12–14 months.

One job, done: no need to remember regular feeds in the first year.
Feeds the plant, not the weeds: nutrients go to the root zone instead of being spread over the surface.
Safe for natives: suitable for planting New Zealand natives.
Versatile: use for trees, shrubs, hedges, revegetation projects and container plants.

How to plant

Water the plant first. Soak the pot or root ball thoroughly an hour or so before planting.
Dig a wide hole. Make it twice as wide as the root ball and about the same depth. Roots grow out more than down, so width matters more than depth.
Improve the soil. Mix Daltons Compost through the soil you've dug out. On heavy clay or poor soil, add Daltons Garden Mix as well and loosen the sides of the hole so roots can push out.
Position the plant. Tease out circling roots and set the plant so the top of the root ball sits level with the surrounding soil. Planting too deep is a common cause of failure.
Add planter tabs. Push the tabs into the soil beside the root ball, around root depth. Check the pack for how many to use for the size of plant.
Backfill and firm. Fill around the root ball with the improved soil and firm gently to remove air pockets.
Water in well. A good soak settles the soil around the roots. A dose of Daltons NZ Natural Liquid Seaweed helps reduce transplant shock.
Mulch. Spread 75–100mm of Mega Mulch or Bark Nuggets in a wide circle, keeping it a hand's width clear of the trunk.

Staking

Only stake trees in exposed, windy spots, and use two or three stakes outside the root ball with soft ties. Let the trunk move a little; that's what builds strength. Remove stakes after a year or so.

Aftercare

Water deeply once or twice a week through the first summer, rather than a daily sprinkle.
Keep the mulched circle weed-free so grass doesn't compete for water.
Top up mulch each spring.
For ongoing feeding of established trees, shrubs and borders, a controlled-release fertiliser such as Landscaper Pro Flora 5/6 Months Fertiliser is easy to apply once a season.

Planting a hedge or revegetation project

Planter tabs come into their own on bigger plantings, where regular feeding of every plant isn't practical. Prepare the whole strip or area rather than individual holes, drop tabs in as you plant, and mulch the lot with Mega Mulch or Arbor Tree Mulch (Auckland yards). For hedges, see Garden Hedges: Fast, Hardy Choices.

Quick answers

Can I use planter tabs in pots? Yes. They're ideal for long-term container plants. Push them into the mix near the edge of the pot.

Can I use them on established plants? Yes. Make holes around the drip line with a trowel or dibber and push tabs in.

When is the best time to plant trees? Autumn through to early spring in most of New Zealand, while the soil is moist. Container-grown plants can go in later if you keep them watered.