Advise to care for new plantings

🌱 Watering Guidelines for Your Landscape

Proper watering is essential—especially during the first year after installation. Most plants will need water twice a week, and every other day during extreme heat. Check soil moisture weekly; if the soil feels dry 1–2 inches deep around the plant, water thoroughly. Place a hose at the base of each plant and let it run slowly to fully saturate the root ball. If water begins to run off, move to another plant and return later to finish. 

After the first year, established plants typically require watering every 3–4 weeks from June through September. Frequency may vary based on soil type—clay soils retain moisture longer and need less frequent watering. Don’t forget to water plants near the house or under overhangs, as they often receive little natural rainfall.

🌲 Avoid Over watering Sensitive Plants

Some shrubs and trees—especially evergreens like Yews, Pines, Junipers, and broad-leaf varieties such as Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Boxwood, and Holly don’t tolerate overly wet soil. While they don’t necessarily prefer dry conditions, they are prone to damage from water-logged roots.

If a plant shows signs of stress, like yellowing leaves or needles, and it’s not due to dryness, check the soil around the root ball. If it’s saturated, stop watering and let the area dry out so oxygen can reach the roots.

🌿 Fertilizing Your Landscape

Start fertilizing after your plants have been growing for one year. Use a complete fertilizer in spring (March–April) and fall (October–November) that includes Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).

Some fertilizers also contain helpful micro-nutrients for soils that may lack them. Proper fertilization encourages strong, healthy growth—making plants more resistant to pests and disease.

Different plant types may need different nutrients, so choose fertilizer materials that match the needs of each group in your landscape.

✂️ Shrub Pruning Basics

Shrubs vary in shape and size, and pruning should reflect both their natural growth habits and your personal preferences. Understanding a shrub’s form helps guide how and when to prune.

Growth & Buds:
All shoots grow outward from their tips. Removing a tip stimulates growth from lower buds, which are located at nodes where leaves attach to branches. Each node may produce one to three buds, depending on the species.

Types of Cuts:

• Heading Cuts: Stimulate growth near the cut. Make these ¼ inch above a bud, sloping away from it. Selectively used, they reduce height while preserving natural shape. Avoid indiscriminate cuts, which cause unattractive, bushy growth.
• Thinning Cuts: Remove entire branches at their base. These reduce density without triggering new growth and should be made just above and parallel to a parent branch.

Seasonal Timing:

• Late Winter/Early Spring: Ideal for most shrubs before buds break.
• After Flowering: Best for spring-blooming shrubs to preserve blooms.
• Summer: Suppresses sucker and foliage growth; prune summer bloomers early or right after flowering.
• Late Summer/Early Fall: May cause tender new growth vulnerable to winter damage.
• Anytime: Prune immediately if damage occurs from weather or vandalism.

Note: This is a general guide. Each plant may have unique care needs—research individual species for best results.

🌾 Weed Control in Your Landscape

Keeping weeds and unwanted grass in check is essential for healthy plants. These invaders compete for light, water, and nutrients—so regular removal is key. Homeowners are the first line of defense and can manage growth by hand-pulling or using herbicides to minimize spread.

While landscape fabric helps reduce weed growth, it’s not foolproof. Weeds can still germinate on top of the fabric, so ongoing maintenance is important to keep your landscape clean and thriving.