Plant Care for landscaping in Huntsville AL

Plant Care Instructions for White Shovel Packages

Pruning Instrutions

Finding your tools...

First thing your gonna want to do is; try to make it complicated. Working in your landscape should be fun, and enjoyable. That being the case, it's always good to have the right tools to get the job done.

I always recommend going down to your local hardware store and building yourself a maintence kit.

That kit would include: A small pair of hand sheers, some leather gloves, a straight claw hammer, a 5 gallon bucket, and a tool pouch for the outside of the bucket.

All of these tools will easily fit in the pouch on the bucket. The inside of the bucket if for the debris that you pick up, or prune off while your maintaining.

Your on the right track, remember gardening is enjoyable if you have the right tools, and now you do. The next step is to understand a few rules of pruning.

Rule #1. Prune off dead branches

You always want to do a quick inspection of all your plants, and during that inspection, be on the look out for dead branches. Dead branches can lead to diease, and insects, so you're gonna want to remove them.

Rule #2. Prune off suckers or shoots

Suckers is a term used to describe those pesky branches that grow off the main stem of your Crepe Myrtle, usually towards the bottom. These can easily be reomved, most times with your hand.

Shoots, on the other hand are those branches sticking up on the top of your shrub. These usually make the shrub or tree look like it needs a haircut. These can be taken off almost anytime of the year. (((((However))))))) a word of caution. Since your plants need about 6 weeks to heal from a cut, don't prune them as it gets close to the first frost. If you do this it's not a terrible thing, it's just a healthy habit to acqure.

Rule#3. Prune in February

This is a touchy subject for most Master Gardeners, so if you're hanging around your master gardener friend and you tell them this, be prepared for a lecture.

There are many plants that can be benefited from pruning at different times of the year, but since you have purchased a low-maintenance package from White Shovel, you have less of that to worry about.

February is a good rule of thumb to remember, pruning at this time, almost guarantees your shrubs and trees to be dormant, and ready for pruning.

If you want to improve your skills, check out some other information a the partuclar plants that you have, there are lots of good sites online.

Watering Instructions

Water them deeply!!!

When learning to water your new shrubs most people will immiediatly presume that you need to water your plants for a long time, every day. There are other things you might think as well like; thinking that there is a magical watering schedule that will make your plants healthy over night.

The reality is that there really is no magic schedule, but there is 2 principles to remember when watering your plants.

Principle #1. Water them deeply

When watering your shrubs or trees with a water house (not a sprinkler system), don't water one plant for 5 mins, instead water 3 or 4 plants at a time. Moving the water stream from one plant to the next and back around again, this movement will allow the ground to soak up the water a little before you give it some more. Think about it like the ground drinking water, if you put too much water at one time, the ground will choke, and it will spill everywhere it's not supposed too. A sprinkler system usually because it sprays a fine mist, will be delivering the water at a small rate, so the ground has time to soak it up.

Principle #2. Treat your plants like pets.

At risk of sounding like I get along with my plants all too well, using the principle of pets is a really good way to think about your plants.

Your plants, (just like your pets) will need water a little more if it's 95 degrees outside. Also your plants can do without water for a few days, it's just not very healthy.

Take the time each day to water your plants, soak the ground around the roots well.

Also keep in mind that if your mulch begins to run thin, the water will evaperate faster, and your plants will need watering more often. Mulch is a great moisture retainer for your soil.

Please, Feed Me!

When do I fertilize my plants?

This actually is a tough question, the reality is that you don't have to fertilize your plants at all. 90% of most soils contain enough nutrients too grow the shrubs we use. However, roses, and other blooming shrubs will bloom better if they are watered regulary and fertilized once a year.

There's no need to get fancy, a basic fertilizer will do the trick. (Always read the instructions on the fertilizer you choose before using.) Also excessive fertilizing, will cause your plants to grow rapidly, and be more seseptable to diasese.