Like water, fertilizer or added nutrients are needed in greater supply by turfgrasses than trees in the landscape. If mulched properly and growing on decent soils, the majority of newly planted trees don’t need any supplemental fertilizer. In fact, applying fertilizer soon after planting can be counter-productive, especially if it contains nitrogen as well as…
Category: Landscaping
Caring For Newly Planted Trees – Pruning
Like staking, pruning is an “as needed” procedure, although the need in the first year is not great. In fact, because young trees need every leaf that they can get their chloroplasts and vascular bundles on, pruning should be avoided in most cases. If branches are removed at planting time or shortly after, the tree…
Follow Up Care for Newly Planted Trees – Mulching
Mulching If a little is good, much more is better is not a good mantra for mulching. For the overall sense of proper mulching technique, take a cue from Mother Nature. In a forest or natural setting, you’ll commonly see a 2-4 inch layer of fallen leaves, stems, fruits and bark, often referred to as…
Follow-up Care for Newly Planted Trees – Watering
When a tree fails, it is sometimes difficult to determine the cause. In many cases, it is due to a failure to spread the roots out in the planting hole or simply planting it too deeply. Doing so leads to girdling or lack of an adequate amount of oxygen, resulting in death. Other than the…
Planting Spring Flowering Bulbs
For color in the spring, you’ve got to plant in the fall. Unfortunately, here’s a common scenario that we see all too often: novice gardeners drive around town noticing landscapes in April, green with envy because they are jealous over all the flowering spring bulbs they see. Of course, it’s too late to plant them…
A New Can of Worms!
Nebraskans are talking about an invasive worm. They are commonly referred to as “Asian jumping worms”, “jumping worms”, “crazy worms”, or “snake worms”. I like to call them crazy worms because whether they jump or move in a serpentine motion, they certainly behave in an uncharacteristic way for a worm. The short story is that…
Fall Inspection of Trees and Shrubs
September and October are great months to enjoy working in the garden and viewing landscape plants, enjoying the outcomes of season long efforts of care. In addition to digging, replanting, weeding, dividing and other fall routines, inspection is a key step in maintaining a sustainable landscape. Inspection? What does that mean? Simply put, it’s…
Planting in Fall
The Nursery Council says, “Fall is for Planting” – Trees, Shrubs, Bulbs, Lawns and Flowers. Fall is actually one of the best times to plant. Why? Many reasons. First, the soils are warm in fall. Warm soil temps are necessary to encourage new root formation into the planting hole to help establish the tree,…
Landscape Journaling
Landscape journaling, the art and science of keeping track of plants and gardens in the landscape, may seem like a fluffy idea, but the task has merit. Are you having your ash trees treated every other year to prevent an infestation of emerald ash borer? A landscape journal can be a record of when and…
Rose of Sharon for Fall Color
Let’s face it – most of our flowering shrubs are showy in spring. Viburnum, dogwood, spirea, forsythia and lilac sport hues of yellow, white, pink and purple in April, May and June. While this is a welcome change from the drab grey of March, once the color is gone in spring, we’re left with a…