Mulch for summer shouldn't touch the trunk, leave a space of an inch or so around the trunk.
As to circumference, I'd make it twice the "dripline" of the plant.

For winter, mulch can be liberally applied, again, don't suffocate the trunk, keep an inch away.

If you've got ANY clay you'll have drainage issues, so you'll have to water sparingly.
So choose a site where water drains freely AWAY (not TOWARD it).

I've never liked adding sand.
Stays too wet for too long.

Some palms like a swamp, most don't.

Barb

Awesome...got some straight answers...thanks everyone, it really helps! I'm planning on planting the Washy robusta on the corner of the house, would 2 meters or so be far enough away from the house?

would 2 meters or so be far enough away from the house?

Depends on your roof overhang 😆 as fronds are really long and very stiff with age.
Yeah, 2 meters should be fine.

My two are 5 feet from house, a bit close.
But I lost a top bud to fungus last winter on one, so it's got a permanent lean of 20-or so degrees.
Fortunately, away from the house.

Barb

Oh wow! Well, seems like fate here prevailed in your favor;) How tall is yours?

Thanks! How deep should mulch be? And radius of mulch around trunk?

2-4 inches will do it. Palm roots don't have a set distance but they do travel much further than the drip line (don't believe in the drip line myth!).

(don't believe in the drip line myth!).

I agree. I planted my trachy last year and 3 months after i planted it I found a root almost 20' from the trunk ....

How tall is yours?

Up to my nose if I don't cut off the fungus fronds 😆

Well the good news is, they grow fast:) I'm thinking about getting the Trachy outside tomorrow, it is declining rapidly in the house...if it freezes hard, I could wrap it with lights and a tarp and protect it...when is the best time to plant, early morning, noon, or late afternoon?

When the air temp is comfortable for you and the palm.
The soil will be cold, so it'll get a shock.
But your 48F daytime temps are better than perfect.

Plan on even wrapping it with a big piece of cardboard for a nite or two, depending on temps.

Barb

That's a very good idea, would I want to use a heat source (lights etc) within the cardboard to keep it warm? Or as long as the spear is covered to protect from moisture, will it be ok? Sorry about all these questions by the way, I'm just trying to learn all I can. Lol

I wouldn't use lights for heat inside the cardboard.
Cardboard is incredibly good at holding out wind and keeping temps mild, if its well taped.

You want to have the palm exposed to temps a little cooler than where it's been for 5 months, but not 10 or 15 degrees lower (that wouldn't be good).

Check your nightime lows forecast.

During a sunny day, if temps are 48F or over, give it some water every few days when the ground has warmed up a bit from the sun.
Once the heat hits, pour the water on.

Sorry about all these questions by the way, I'm just trying to learn all I can. Lol

Never too many Qs!

We all learn something from all posts.
Some things work, some don't.
It's the ideas that count.

Hope you have great planting weather.
Look forward to seeing the results.

Barb

one thing about mulch:
I wouldn't apply it at all this time of year when planting a palm.
Most people pull it back to allow ground to warm up.

Great for holding moisture and keeping roots cool in summer though.

Barb

Alright thanks! I'm really hoping my Washingtonia filibustas arrive today...lol

Last question 😉 Should I cultivate the ground with a rototiller or something before planting the palms? I also bought some of that weed preventing cloth to place under the mulch, since the washy will be planted in what is essentially a flower bed...

Well this bums me out like no other:( Found the perfect place to plant my Trachy...this little flower bed in my backyard that my brother and I built spring of 2012...Anyway, we planted a Wisteria there that my mom is in love with...I dug up a small area in this flower bed, and just under the weed cloth under the mulch, wisteria roots are EVERYWHERE...is there any way I can still plant the Trachy here without killing it or the wisteria? Also, does the soil look too "clayish"? Lol Thanks!

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