Plants in containers

Wind and intense sunlight will make it necessary to water your container plants daily except in early spring and fall when the temperature is cooler. Because the leaves of a mature plant will cover the soil surface making it difficult for moisture to reach the roots, you can't always count on rainwater to provide adequate moisture. It is important to water the roots by soaking the plants until water drains out of the container. We often add water-absorbing polymers to the soil at the time of planting which will help keep the soil moist. Before you water, check to see if the soil is dry.  

You can fertilize annuals biweekly with a water soluble fertilizer. For perennials, trees and shrubs I prefer time release capsules. Feed them once at the beginning of the season.  

In hopes that you'll be able to enjoy perennials, shrubs and trees for more than one season we select plants for containers that are hardy in zones colder than ours (i.e. lower than zone 5)

Newly installed plants should be watered at least twice a week, more often if it's over 85 degrees and windy. Gentle soaking for about 30 minutes to an hour, always in the morning, is more effective that quick frequent waterings because soaking the ground encourages the plants' roots to establish themselves deeply into the soil. Avoid watering in the evening, water can stay on the leaves overnight and encourage disease. To test for moisture, dig under the mulch and into the soil a few inches to see if it's dry. Wilting leaves are usually an indication that your plants need water. We do not recommend fertilizing in ground plants for the first year. After that a balanced, granular slow release type is recommended. Deadheading (removing the spent flower heads) improves the look of perennials and very often encourages a plant to re-bloom.  

Trees

Trees have large roots and will benefit from slow, steady watering once or twice a week. Place your hose on the root ball at a slow trickle and leave it in one spot for several hours. Move it to another spot and repeat. Keep the tree mulched, but do not mound the mulch around the base of the trunk. It will take at least 2 years for a tree to become established.  

Sod and Grass Seed

Newly installed sod and grass seed should be watered twice a day:  early in the morning and around 5pm in the afternoon. Avoid walking on sod for the first two weeks.  After sod and/or seed has been established it should receive at least one inch of water a week, either from rain or your hose. Wait two weeks before mowing, then mow using the highest blade position on the mower. Fertilize the following year. 

Winter Care