How to Grow a Date Palm Plant
- 1). Prepare the soil at the location where you will be planting your date palm tree. Clear the area of any stray branches, rocks or stones.
- 2). Dig a large hole to accommodate your date palm tree. The hole should be three times as wide as the nursery container your date palm is planted in. Dig the hole so that it is two inches less deep than the height of your date palm's container to ensure your date palm will be planted at the appropriate height. You can mix a rich potting compost into the displaced soil to create an amended soil, if desired. Amending the soil may be beneficial, but is not strictly necessary as date palm trees thrive in even poor soils.
- 3). Remove your date palm tree from its nursery container. Gently untangle the root system and examine for signs of damage before planting.
- 4). Situate your date palm tree in the prepared hole. Backfill the hole all the way to the surface and pat the dirt down with your hands. Make sure that the point where the date palm meets its root system is just above the surface of the soil when planted.
- 5). Water your date palm tree directly after planting to eliminate air bubbles in the soil and help the roots establish themselves in their new location. Slow-water your tree for up to 20 minutes to make sure the moisture sinks deep into the soil. Turn a garden hose on to a slow drip, or purchase a drip or soaker hose from your local garden center for this purpose. Hydrate your date palm tree regularly using a slow-watering method to keep it looking its best.
- 6). Fertilize your date palm tree with a specially-formulated fertilizer for palm or fruit-bearing palm trees. To keep your date palm healthy and nourished, fertilize up to twice each growing season.
- 7). Prune your date palm tree annually at the beginning of the summer season. Cut spent or damaged palm fronds from your date palm using a small pruning saw.
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