I have a sandy bank, approx. 60 degrees, when I dig into it, it tends to collapse. I want to plant it with evergreens, but it's hard to keep it wet, it dries out so quickly. What can I use? Q. I have a sandy bank, approx. 60 degrees, when I dig into it, it tends to collapse. I want to plant it with evergreens, but its hard to keep it wet, it dries out so quickly. What can I use?

A.There is little that you can do to prevent sloughing off as you dig the hole, however you should attempt to dig horizontally into the bank a certain amount as well so that when you actually plant the plant in the hole, you can make a moat around the plant to hold some of the water. When planting the plant in the hole, use the existing soil mixed with the bulk peat soil that we sell mixed at a ratio of about 50/50. The peat soil will hold the moisture and promote good growth. The bulk peat soil works better than the bales of peat for moisture retention because the bales have been previously dried. The next consideration is the watering system. Consider using either a drip system or a micro-jet system. Both these systems use minimal amounts of water, and you will get significantly less run off using these. Both systems are very easy to install and inexpensive.