Gardening Tips
Maintenance and plant care instructions
- Water is needed. In spring, fall, and winter water when weather conditions do not.
If temperature is below freezing then don't worry about watering. In summer, plants
will sometimes need water once or twice a week depending on severity of heat and
drought conditions. When you water, soak each plant thoroughly until water floods
out of the ground around it. Don't water everyday it will rot the roots. A good
practice is to feel the ground beneath a plant periodically and especially after
a long dry spell. If the soil is dry and dusty then water and if it's cool or moist
leave the plant alone until later.
- Trim evergreen shrubs as needed with hand pruners or shears.
- Trim all flowering shrubs and small trees in May, June or within six weeks of completion
of flowering.
- In the spring (March) cut ornamental grasses down to 12".
- In March or April fertilize all plants with slow release granular plant food (Start-n-Grow)
or one year planting tablets.
- In April-May re-mulch all beds to an overall depth of 2-3" to help keep weeds down,
hold ground moisture, as well as improving overall appearance. Do not pile mulch
against trunks of plants.
- Apply a weed and grass preventer for landscape beds to keep weed seeds from growing.
- As a preventative measure call us for insecticide and fungicide recommendations
for care of your plants.
- Cut all perennials (flowering plants that die into the ground every year and return
next) off at ground level after their foliage has died back.
- In November, make sure all plants have at least 2-3" of mulch covering it for freeze
protection.
- If you have any questions please call us. We are here seven days a week to help
our customers. Don't hesitate to call when a certain plant may look strange or sick.
Usually it is something common that we see daily and can talk you through the steps
to proper care.
A healthy plant is the best way to prevent disease, promote growth and increase
planting success.
Planting Instructions
Depth: The top of the root ball should be at least one inch above ground level.
Mounding plants above ground level can be beneficial for drainage and visually appealing.
Planting Mixture: Several shovelfuls of well rotted compost and manure mixed with
the same soil you removed from the hole. We recommend one year planting tablets
or Start-N-Grow slow release fertilizer at the time of planting.
Watering: SOAK THOROUGHLY at time of planing. After that, water only as the plant
needs water. Watering varies with soil condition and topography. A good practice
is to feed the ground around the plant - don't judge by the general lawn dampness.
See Maintenance Care for watering maintenance.
Care: Keep weeds away. A good 2-3" layer of hardwood mulch, pine bark, or cypress
shredded bark does that and helps maintain the proper moisture. We recommended weed
and grass preventer in beds after mulching. A preventative spray of chemicals for
insects and scale is advisable. Ask us for recommendations for the particular plants
in your landscape.
Remember: We care just as much about your plants as you do. Pleasing you is our business. Therefore, if you have any questions consult us.
BEFORE fertilizing your lawn or attempting to eliminate weeds. Please contact us. Our experience with
lawn care will save you trouble and aggravation. All too often, we are consulted
after serious damage has been done and recovery is next to impossible.