Notes-Nancy Chennault

 Water & Fertility

Water new perennial plantings to maintain soil moisture. Containers usually need more.

Watch for summer/fall drought periods and know your plant requirements for moisture.

Low Nitrogen Fertilizer about the middle of March, Organic All Purpose Fertilizer 4-4-4.

Higher Phosphorus (Bone Meal 3-15-0) Bulbs, etc.

Know your plant's nutritional needs for timing and amount of fertilizer, i.e Spring Blooming Bulbs and Summer Blooming Bulbs are entirely different for the number of times and the amount of fertilizer required.        *

Clematis

Evergreen (Armandi)

Deciduous majority

Soil - sweet (need application of lime)

Keep Roots Cool

Pruning

·        Those that bloom on new wood (J) or (1)

·        Those that bloom on old wood only (M) or (2)

·        Those that bloom on old wood first and then new in summer (L-J) or (3)

Hardiness Tips

·        Established plants generally 'hardier' - new plantings less hardy

·        Water plants under overhangs and trees throughout the winter. A dry plant is more likely to freeze. Dry soil has air pockets. Moist soil only drops to 32 degrees.

·        Ornamentals in containers more likely to freeze than those planted in the ground.

·        We've talked about Climate Change and how plants considered non-hardy for our area, now are hardy. Winter after winter.

Location - Soil Considerations

Do your research - ask a professional - read labels. Be prepared to answer these questions

·        Measurements of the area to be planted

·        Sun vs Shade

·        vs Part Shade (filtered and/or morning sun)

-vs Part Sun (filtered and/or afternoon sun)

·        Sandy soil? Plant tolerant of drought?

·        Clay soil? Plant tolerant of heavy wet soil?

Right Plant in the Right Spot

·        Size at maturity (calculated in 25 year 'landscape life')

·        root system (invasive or not)

Planting Tips

·        Prepare a hole 2 times as wide and 1.5 times as deep as the plant's container.

·        Use a planting compost and organic All Purpose fertilizer such as 4-4-4

·        Mix with existing soil

·        Place plant in hole after scoring the roots and backfill with soil mixed with fertilizer. Soil level will be the same as it was in the pot.

·        Leave a depression around the plant to hold the water within the root zone. Water thoroughly.

Seasonal Maintenance

·        Pruning Tips:

Generally done in the winter when plants are dormant. Applied to deciduous and evergreen

·        Flowering shrubs and trees

Winter - Spring blooming = after they bloom Summer blooming = winter dormancy (ie Hydrangeas)

·        Conifers pruned right after new growth begins to harden off

- Exception = pines are done just before 'candles' expand.

You can also prune conifers in the winter for cut greenery displays during the holidays.

Cutting roses or other blossoms for bouquets and grooming spent blooms, (dead-heading), is actually 'pruning'.