General Plant Care Guide
Nurturing and Protecting Your Investment
Remember that plants are living and require special care. After careful design and installation of your landscape, you have the responsibility for the continued health and vigor of the planting. These general instructions will help you to maintain and enjoy your investment.
WATERING
Check all plants Daily for the first few weeks. Simply dig around the root zone with your fingers to a depth of 2-3” or small plants and 6-8” for larger plants and trees. Water generously when the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Summer, plants typically need water 3-4x per week.
- Spring and Fall, plants typically need water 1-2x per week.
- During the winter, water 1x per month.
- If we received adequate rainfall (1/2” or more at time) the frequency can be reduced.
Slow, deep watering is preferred. This type of watering is accomplished by placing the hose at the base of a plant, at a heavy trickle, and water 5-10 minutes for small plants, longer for larger plants while moving the hose in a few locations around the plant.
When the soil feels moist do not water. Soil must be allowed to dry out between waterings. If a plant is maintained in constantly moist soil, the plant’s health will deteriorate over time. A plant weakened by over watering may die of oxygen deprivation or become susceptible to pest and disease. For this reason, lawn irrigation systems if not designed correctly, can be hazardous to ornamental plantings.
Monitoring water requirements frequently is more important than watering frequently. Monitor your plants’ water requirements for at least the first two to three years. Plants close to buildings where heat may reflect and plants under roof eaves require closer monitoring. During the hot summer months and early fall disregard natural rainfall. Often, rain received during these periods produces mostly runoff and contributes little, if any, to increasing ground moisture.
Maintain a 2 to 2 and a half inch mulch layer. In addition to helping conserve ground moisture, the correct amount of mulch prevents weeds and retains moisture. Remember, excess amounts of mulch will result in poor air circulation and reduce plant vigor.
FERTILIZATION
Timberline Landscapes fertilizes at planting so generally no fertilizer is necessary for the first year. In subsequent years, we recommend using a balanced (i.e., 10-10-10, 14-14-14) plant food (preferably with micro nutrients). Be sure to follow the instructions on the label. If you have any questions on specific requirements please call us.
PESTS
Plants from Timberline Landscapes are guaranteed to be free from pests and diseases upon installation. We use plant varieties that are disease and pest resistant whenever possible. As a secondary control, our plant material is closely monitored and turned over rapidly so you benefit by receiving the freshest and healthiest plants available.
Be observant of changes in plant vigor and growth. Plants are more susceptible to disease and pests if they are weakened through poor maintenance practices such as over or under watering. If you make it a practice to walk the landscape and be observant of your plants’ progress, you will spot symptoms of disease or insect infestations well in advance of any serious problems.
PRUNING
Pruning should be minimized for good plant health. When planted and spaced according to its growth characteristics, a plant should require little pruning. However, you may remove dead or dying branches and crossed or rubbing branches any time of the year. When in doubt, call Timberline Landscapes. These tips will enable you to minimize time and expense in caring for your new landscape. When you are ready to add to or enhance your landscaping, you can trust our professional staff to provide quality service, great plans and great plants!
SOD CARE
Sod must be kept moist for the first two weeks after installation. After two weeks, sod should be taking root and watering can be reduced to every 2-3 days. It is imperative that sod is not allowed to dry out. The best way to test if sod is drying out is to pull up a corner of the sod.
If dry underneath, water immediately. After about 7-10 days small white roots should be appearing from under the sod. After about 14 days, the sod will begin to “take root” and you should no longer be able to easily pull the corner of the sod up. Some indications that sod is drying out are:
- A grayish color to the sod. Some also describe the color as blue-green-grey.
- Crispy, dry blades of grass.
- Seams in the sod. The seams form because the sod dries up and shrinks.
We install only the highest quality Blue Grass and Fescue sod. With proper watering and care, your new sod will flourish.
TIMBERCARE
A tailored maintenance program to meet individual homeowner’s landscaping maintenance needs, TimberCare offers horticultural expertise, pest management expertise, fertilization and weed control using the latest methods and environmentally sound practices. By taking complete care of your landscape, you can relax and rest on Timberline Landscapes’ professionalism, unique service and plant guarantees.
Call us at 314-646-0203 to set-up a consultation for TimberCare.
DEER & RABBIT REPELLENT
Deer and rabbit tend to nibble on anything that is newly planted. For this reason, we recommend picking up some repellent! Then keep all the new plants sprayed for a couple of weeks following planting.
We like the brand, Liquid Fence® Deer & Rabbit Repellent Concentrate2 which works on scent, so deer and rabbits don’t even have to take a bite to be repelled.
- Harmless to plants and animals, when used as directed
- Rain resistant
- Apply year-round
- Repels deer & rabbits from landscaped gardens, flowers, shrubs, trees and vines
For more information visit:
www.liquidfence.com/Products/Deer-and-Rabbit-Control/Deer-And-Rabbit-Concentrate
CONTACT US
Timberline Landscapes - Home Office
2827 Breckenridge Industrial Ct.
Webster Groves, MO 63144
314-646-0203
www.timberlinelandscapes.com