Santa Fe Meadow Border Project: Trees Planted, Soil Prepared

Ben Wheelan's crew from Ben'z Landscaping cleared old plants and tree roots from Santa Fe's meadow border renovation site this week, continuing work that began with the installation of foundational boulders.

The team pre-watered the ground the previous week to soften soil hardened by a dry winter. Once cleared, Wheelan's crew dug holes for trees and woody shrubs, working with Linda to ensure proper depth and root placement. Noah Gapsis, a horticulturist at Santa Fe Botanical Garden, discovered a dwarf pinyon donated by Tracy Neal had been planted too deep and repositioned it so its crown aligned with the surrounding grade.

After planting the larger specimens, the crew spread compost and fertilizer across the area, mixed the amendments into the soil, and graded the ground for smaller plants.

Remaining planting and irrigation installation come next.