NEW PLANTINGS
Newly planted or transplanted plants should be thoroughly watered as soon a possible, even if it is raining. This initial watering ensures good contact of the root ball with the surrounding soil. Place a hose at the base of the plant with the water coming out at a slow trickle. A ‘dish’ of sorts has been made around the larger plants to help the water collect and soak the root ball evenly. The water flow should be slow enough so as not to disrupt the soil. The following rates can be used as a guideline.
AFTER INITIAL WATERING
How often you water will depend on weather conditions and your soil type. Hot, dry, windy and sunny weather will deplete water more quickly. Feel the soil in the root ball with your fingers down about 2". If you can pinch the soil and see moisture you should not need to water unless the plant is wilting. The proper way to water is deeply and infrequently when temperatures are rising. Avoid light, frequent watering as this discourages deep root growth.
GENERAL WATERING GUIDELINES
When there has been no significant rain (1") you will need to continue watering your landscape regularly as outlined above while it is becoming established. Plantings should be considered new for two years.
Trees – every 5-7 days
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Large shrubs – every 4-5 days
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Small shrubs – every 3-4 days
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Perennial & Groundcover beds – every 2-3 days.
HELPFUL HINTS
Large planting beds can be efficiently watered by leaving a soaker hose woven throughout the bed. It will need to be left on longer than a trickling hose. Determine how long you need to leave it on by testing the soil 4-6" down for uniform moisture content. Mulch helps to conserve water moisture allowing you to go longer between waterings.
FERTILIZING
Your plants were fertilized at the time of planting with a slow release fertilizer. This should be sufficient for the first year. The exception would be perennial and groundcover beds. These would greatly benefit from a monthly application of a product such as Miracle-gro. After the first year, the following general guidelines may be followed.
Spring– (Optional) A light application (_ the label rate) of a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer such as one with a 10-10-10 analysis according to label directions.
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Fall– Apply above fertilizer at manufacturer’s recommended rate.
WEED CONTROL
We recommend 2-3 applications yearly of a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen or Trefflan according to manufacture’s directions. (April 15, June 1, August 1) These products are designed to stop NEW weed seeds from germinating. Existing weeds must be pulled or may be sprayed with Round-up according to manufacturer’s instructions.
MULCH
his will need refreshing every so often with a top dressing. Mulch helps reduce watering requirements, reduces weeds and gives a nice finished look. Couture Landscape Construction, Inc. offers the service of top dressing mulch for our customers only. Please call early in spring if you would like this service.
GROUNDCOVER BEDS
These smaller plants will need to be watered more often than the larger plants while they are becoming established. An oscillating sprinkler that can be adjusted to the bed size will work well for this. Any weeds must be removed promptly. Applications of a liquid fertilizer such as Miracle-gro three times during growing season will speed establishment. May 1st, June 15th, and August 1st are good target dates.
BROADLEAF EVERGREEN
These plants will benefit from being sprayed with an anti-desiccant in the fall (November) to help protect them from drying out in the winter. These products are sold under the trade names of "Cloud Cover" and "Wilt Proof" and others. Temperatures need to be at least 40 degrees to apply these products. Rhododendrons will have improved flowering if their old blooms are "snapped off" after the blooms have faded.
PRUNING
Plants have been selected and placed in your design for beauty and longevity. However, some pruning may be required as part of their care. Generally, spring flowering plants bloom on last year’s growth and should be pruned right after the blooms fade. Summer flowering plants generally bloom in the current years growth and can be pruned in spring. Look on our web site for specific plant care information, e mail us with your question or call our office.
PERENNIAL PLANTINGS
These herbaceous plants must have previous year’s growth cut back in early spring. (March 1st) These plants will also require more watering than the larger plants in the first few years.
ROSE PLANTINGS
The Roses we use should not need any chemical spraying but they do need to have mulch mounded up around their base in November and then uncovered in April. You can prune them back to a foot high in Nov. or wait until they leaf out and remove dieback at that time.
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