Keeping your Plants Healthy

Trees and shrubs are an important aspect of landscaping because they add texture, structure and color to you designs. Maintaining the health of these plants is rather simple, but some basic knowledge is required to care for them correctly. Here are a few tips that will help your plants reach their full potential.

Planting-
After putting a plant in the ground, the most important thing to do is water it well. Spread a 2-3 inch layer of mulch around the plant to keep it protected from the mower. This will also allow the soil to maintain its moisture longer, so you don't have to water as often.

Staking-
You may need to stake a newly planted tree to support it. This is usually done when planting bare-root trees, or if you are having a hard time keeping them upright. Support them only for the first year or two to ensure they develop sturdy roots and trunk. a very simple way to support a tree is to drive a stake into the ground about 8 inches from the trunk and tie a wire from the trunk to the stake. Make sure the wire is not too tight to avoid damaging the tree. You should put something between the wire and the trunk so the wire doesn't rub against the bark. An old hose section works well for this.

Pruning-
Trees and shrubs can benefit greatly from pruning. Here are a few guidelines you can follow to make this job easy. No matter what trees and shrubs you're growing, its a good idea to prune out any dead or diseased branches. This helps the plants look better and can prevent the disease from spreading. You should prune out any wayward stems that block pathways, driveways or grow into the side of a house or other structure. Also remove branches that cross and rub against one another; as the bark gets rubbed off, it makes the tree more susceptible to disease. Prune most summer-flowering shrubs (including rose of Sharon, butterfly bush, 'Annabelle' hydrangea and spirea) in late fall, winter or early spring.

These pointers will keep you plants looking good as well as healthy.

Tyler Kaiser
T. J. Landscaping Inc