Pre-order now - shipping from 14th April

Shop our new arrivals:

Product Title
Product Title

Use coupon code WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order.

Cart 0

Congratulations! Your order qualifies for free shipping You are £200.00 GBP away from free shipping.
Sorry, looks like we don't have enough of this product.

Pair with
Is this a gift?
Subtotal Free
View cart
Shipping, taxes, and discount codes are calculated at checkout

Your Cart is Empty

Home
Products
About
Learn
Contact

Planting in a pot - with ashes

You may be planting your sapling with or without ashes. This guide if for planting your sapling with ashes. Please see our blog 'Planting in a pot - without ashes' if you are not interring any ashes with your sapling. 

Full Length Guide 

Step One – Choose a Suitable Pot 

When choosing a pot for your tree, we recommend that you: 

  • Select a sturdy container that holds at least 40-50 litres of compost 

  • Ensure the pot has drainage holes in its base 

  • Choose a bright position with some direct sunlight 

Please avoid using pots without drainage holes. 

This pot size is suitable for the first few years of growth before eventual repotting or ground planting. 

Step Two – Prepare the Pot 

Please use no more than 500ml of cremated ash when planting this tree.  

If you wish to use more ash, we suggest that you divide it across multiple memorial trees or containers. 

Prepare the soil 

  • Wear suitable gardening gloves 

  • In a large container, add the full volume of compost required to fill your pot (we recommend at least 40 litres of John Innes No 2) 

  • Add up to 500ml of cremated ash and the full bag of our Unifying Mix. 

  • Mix thoroughly until the ash and Unifying Mix are evenly blended throughout the compost. 

The ash must be fully blended throughout the compost and never placed directly around the roots or in concentrated pockets. 

Fill the pot 

  • Part-fill the pot with some of this blended compost). 

  • Gently firm the compost so that it is level 

  • Sprinkle the entire Rootgrow sachet in the centre where the roots will sit 

Step Three – Position your Tree 

  • Carefully remove the sapling from the biodegradable pulp pot 

  • Don’t worry if some compost comes loose from the roots 

  • Gently place the tree into the centre of the pot over the Rootgrow 

  • The point where the roots meet the trunk should sit level with where the compost surface will be, not buried below 

Step Four – Backfill and Firm 

  • Fill around the sapling with the remaining blended compost until the pot is nearly full 

  • Press down gently with your hands to secure the tree and remove any air gaps, taking care not to damage the stem 

  • Check that the stem is upright – you can gently adjust if needed. 

Step Five – Water Well and Protect 

  • Water the pot gently until water drains freely from the base 

  • Allow excess water to drain away 

  • Do not let the pot stand in water 

  • Water deeply once per week for the first month so that water drains through the base of the pot 

  • Continue to water regularly throughout the first growing season, especially during dry periods 

  • You may wish to add some mulch around the tree to retain moisture and deter weeds. 

  • If so, please leave a 10cm gap around the base of the trunk. 

  • You may protect your tree from wildlife using a tree guard or spiral. In exposed areas, a stake may help support the stem during strong winds. 


Summary Guide – Pot with Ashes 

Important: Use no more than 500ml ash per container. 

Step One - Choose the right pot 

  • Minimum 40–50 litres with drainage holes. 

  • We recommend frost-proof pots, like fibreglass and glazed terracotta variants. 

  • Place in a bright position with some direct sun. 

Step Two - Blend the compost 

  • In a separate container, mix: 

  • Full pot volume of compost 

  • Up to 500ml ash 

  • The full Unifying Mix kit 

  • Blend thoroughly. Never place ash directly around roots. 

  • Part-fill the pot and add Rootgrow. 

Step Three - Position the tree 

  • Remove the pulp pot. 

  • Set roots level with the compost surface. 

Step 4 - Backfill and firm 

  • Fill with remaining blended compost. 

  • Press gently to secure. 

Step 5 - Water well 

  • Water until it drains freely from the base. 

  • Water deeply once per week for the first month. 

  • Continue watering regularly during the first growing season. 

You will need: 

  • Spade or trowel 

  • Watering can or hose 

  • Large container for mixing 

  • Large (50l) pot with drainage holes 

  • 50 litres compost (John Innes. No 2 recommended) 

  • Gloves (required if handling ash and Unifying Mix)