Gardening Tips 

Care and Maintenance of your plants

  1. Water is necessary in all seasons when weather conditions do not provide it. If temperature is below freezing then don’t worry about watering. In the summer, plants will sometimes need water once or twice a week depending on the severity of heat and drought conditions. When you water, soak each plant thoroughly until water floods out of the ground around it. Correct hose position is crucial. Lay the hose at the base of the plant and do not water the foliage. Watering the foliage can result in damage to it. If water is left on the foliage it can act as a magnifying effect and burn the leaves leaving your plant to look less than attractive. If you can help it, do not water in midday. Try to water when the sun is not the hottest. Do not water every day, it can 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. If the soil is cool or moist, leave the plant alone and check it again at a later date. DO NOT JUDGE BY THE GENERAL LAWN DAMPNESS, instead judge by the ground beneath the specific plant.
  2. Trim evergreen shrubs as needed with hand pruners or shears.
  3. Trim all flowering shrubs and small trees in May, June or within six weeks of completion of flowering.
  4. In the spring, (March) cut ornamental grasses down to 12”.
  5. In March or April fertilize all plants with a slow release granular plant food like Start-N-Grow or a one year planting tablet.
  6. In April-May re-mulch all beds to an overall dept 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.
  7. Apply a weed and grass preventer for landscape beds to keep weed seeds from growing.
  8. As a preventative measure call us for insecticide and fungicide recommendations for care of your plants.
  9. Cut all perennials (flowering plants that die into the ground every year and return the next) off at ground level after their foliage has died back.
  10. In November, make sure all plants have at least 2-3” of mulch covering it for freeze protection.
  11. If you have any questions please call us.  We are here to help our customers make their landscaping and lawns the most beautiful they can be.  Don’t hesitate to call or email 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 for 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 to promote plant growth.

Watering: SOAK THOROUGHLY at the time of planting.  After that, water only as the plant needs water.  Watering varies with soil condition and topography.  A good practice is to feel the ground around the plant.  DO NOT JUDGE BY THE GENERAL LAWN DAMPNESS.  See Maintenance Care for additional watering maintenance.

Care: Keep weeds away.  A good 2-3” layer of hardwood mulch, pine bark, or cypress shredded bark mulch will do this and it helps maintain the proper moisture needed for the plants.  We recommend weed and grass preventer in beds after mulching.  A preventative spray of chemicals for insects and scale is advisable.  Ask one of our knowledgeable sales associates for recommendations for the particular plants in your landscape.

Remember: We are just as concerned as you are about the well being of your plants.  Pleasing you is our business!  Therefore, if you have any questions call us at 513-752-9355 or email us at info@bardnurseries.com BEFORE fertilizing your lawn or attempting to eliminate weeds.  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.  We’re here for you so give us a call!