Maintenance of Landscape

22.00 Maintain newly planted plants in a given environment25.00 Prune ornamental plants to maintain an attractive landscape

What is landscape maintenance?Landscape maintenance includes watering, fertilizing, mulching, pest control, mowing, edging, winterization and pruning of landscape plants.

Watering Landscape PlantsWatering should be done at planting and frequently for a few days to prevent roots from drying out and plant wilting. Then less often only as needed.After plants are established watering should be infrequent and enough to wet soil 12”-16” deep. Different plants have different water needs.

Fertilization of Landscape PlantsFertilizer should be mixed in back fill soil at planting for shrubs and trees and in soil bed for annuals and perennials.Fertilization is not usually needed for established trees, but it should be done by making holes with a drill or soil tube about 12” deep and at 24” intervals around the tree at the canopy drip line where needed.

Fertilization of Landscape PlantsShrubs may need small amounts of low analysis fertilizer, but not late in the growing season.Most lawns need fertilizer.

MulchingMulching should be done at planting and replaced as needed.Mulch must be replaced over time as it decays.

Pest ControlPest control is necessary to control damage from insects, diseases, weeds, and rodents.For most landscape plants, pest control is done is done by treating the beds and other areas with chemicals to prevent weeds, insects and diseases before planting and as observed later.

Mowing LawnsMowing lawns at the correct height for the type of grass and frequently enough to prevent damage is a key to maintaining lawn.

EdgingEdging makes a sharp line of separation between a planting and the lawn.Can be done with tools or with an edging material such as plasticEdging materials should be installed at planting time.

WinterizationPrepares the plants for winter or freezing weather.Fertilizing early in growing season prevents soft new growth that will die in winter, mulching, pruning, adequate watering, and pest control all help plants survive freezing temperatures of winter.

Pruning

PruningPruning is done to improve appearance and health and to control size and shape of plants.Pruning is usually done in off-seasons when more labor is available. However, some plants have to be pruned at specific times.

Early spring blooming shrubs should be pruned as soon as flowers fall off so that new buds can form for next year.Plants that have high sap pressure in early spring such as maples, birches, etc. should not be pruned in the spring.

Pruning

PruningDamaged branches of trees and shrubs should be removed as soon as possible to prevent more damage to the plant.Newly planted shrubs should be shaped.

Principles of PruningShrubs that produce flowers on wood grown the previous season should be pruned immediately after flowers fall off the plant.Examples:

ForsythiaAzaleasSpirea

Principles of PruningShrubs that bloom on the current year’s growth such as roses should be pruned in fall or early spring.Shrubs such as hydrangea and spirea require annual pruning to thin out old dead woodSome suckers or shoots from plant roots should be removed to keep plant from becoming too thick.

Types or Methods of PruningThinning removes certain branches to open up the plant and keep the natural shape.Heading back removes the end section of branches at the same height so that new shoots make the plant thicker.

Types of Methods of PruningRenewal pruning removes old branches that are large and unproductive by cutting them back to ground level. It is usually effective on flowering shrubs.Root pruning is usually done one growing season prior to transplanting. The general rule is that one inch of stem diameter equals 10” of circle diameter for pruning roots around the plant.

Pruning Tools and Supplies

Pruning Tool TipsKeep all pruning tools sharp and cleanKeep handles and bolt nuts secure or tightUse caution with cutting tools. “If they cut plants, they can cut you.”

Types of Pruning ToolsPruning Saw

Has a blade with coarse teethBlade may or may not fold into the handle for safety and storageIt will cut live or dead limbs

Types of Pruning ToolsPole pruner

Has a saw and pruning tool on a pole to remove branches that are up to 12 feet overheadPower Pole Pruners have a power saw on the end of an extended handle

Types of Pruning ToolsGrass shears

Have two blades designed to cut grass around edges of walks or flower beds

Types of Pruning ToolsLopping Shears

Have long handles Will cut limbs from 1” to 1 ½” in diameter

Types of Pruning ToolsHand shears or pruning shears

Have a single blade that cuts against another piece of metal or . . . Two blades that work like scissors to cut limbs ½” in diameter

Types of Pruning ToolsHedge Shears

Have longer blades that cut tender growth

Types of Pruning ToolsChainsaw

Has a gasoline, battery, or electrical powered chain that cuts large limbs from 3” up to the blade length