General Plant Maintenance Notes

June 4, 2015

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Perennial Maintenance

Remove any left over debris from winter.

Fertilize with slow release fertilizer as plants emerge. Usually, one tablespoon per plant is sufficient. Apply liquid fertilizer during budding stages to get optimal flowering and growth. If slow release fertilizer is not available, use liquid fertilizer ever two weeks throughout growing season.

Water plants as needed. Some perennials require more water then others but all should be babied for the first year and watered during dry periods there after.

Prune off any flowers as they fade. Remove any dead leaves, stems, diseased, or broken stems as soon as noticed at any time.

Cut to the ground all perennials during dormant period. Some perennials, such as ornamental grasses and sedum, add interest during the winter and usually are not removed until late winter or early spring.

Pest and diseases should be sprayed for as needed.

Divide perennials ever 3 to 15 years depending upon variety. Some perennials do not require dividing at all.

Deciduous Shrub and Tree Maintenance

Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer on roots as plants get there leaves in spring. Fertilizer can be applied every two weeks through May and June. Do not fertilize in July, August, or September. Encouraging too much growth at this time may damage the plant during the winter. Another application of fertilizer should be applied in November to encourage healthy root development.

Prune as soon as the flowers fade to get optimal flowering from year to year. Pruning at the wrong time may prevent trees and shrubs from getting the most amount of flowers from them. The amount of pruning is different for each plant. Some plants should be pruned harder in the dormant period. Professional advice is probably needed. Hedge sheers are not usually suggested.

Water trees and shrubs deeply as needed. Some trees and shrubs require more water then others but all should be babied for the first year and watered deeply during the dry season.

Pest and diseases should be sprayed for as needed.

Remove all fallen leaves in fall. Leaves can carry disease and or pest on them and may cause problems the following year.

Evergreen Shrubs and Tree Maintenance

Fertilize with a liquid fertilizer on roots and leaves as plants get there new leaves in spring. Fertilizer can be applied every two weeks through May and June. Do not fertilize in July, August, or September. Encouraging too much growth at this time may damage the plant during the winter. Another application of fertilizer should be applied in November to encourage healthy root development.

Prune in June or July. Half the new growth may be removed at this time. Some branches can be removed to the stem or to a healthy bud to reduce size. Hedge shears are not usually suggested. Remove any diseased or broken branches at any time of the year. Professional advice is probably needed.

Water trees and shrubs deeply as needed. Some tree and shrubs require more water then others but all should be babied the first year and watered deeply during the dry season.

Pest and diseases should be sprayed for as needed.