Plant Care After Installation
Frequently asked questions:
When do I fertilize my plants?
How much should I water?
Some browning at the tips are not unusual for newly planted or transplanted plants. It should not be excessive, however, so if it is you may need to increase the amount of water supplied to the plant.
When do I fertilize my plants?
We recommend that you hold off for several months after our
installation. Styer Landscaping has amended your soil prior to planting so the
nutrients needed for the establishment of plants has already been supplied.
After several months, if you know the correct time (depending on the type of
plant), you may fertilize. General rule of thumb is spring-flowering shrubs
(azaleas and rhododendron) get fertilized after they bloom, while evergreens
(boxwoods and hollies) get fertilized in late winter. There are so many
different plants with different requirements it is impossible to provide
specific information without specifying the particular plant. We will advise
you after the installation, but please feel free to call if you need additional
information.
How much should I water?
Without trying to be over-simplistic, the correct answer is
when the plant needs it. It is extremely difficult to tell how much to water
without consulting Mother Nature. Heat and natural rainfall both play a very
big part in how much to water. Monitor plants for signs of wilting and stress
for several months. One inch per week of water is generally recommended for
established plants, but a new installation requires a little bit more for
several weeks. Our suggestions are:
- Trees and Shrubs- Water twice a week, thoroughly saturating the soil around the rootball and the rootball itself for a minimum of three weeks. Once the tree or shrubs have gone through the initial shock of planting, then a lighter watering twice a week will suffice until cooler weather appears. The soil or mulch should dry slightly between waterings, and the soil should never appear waterlogged.
- Sod- Sod needs to be watered at least daily, preferably twice a day, until it has taken root. It is important that the soil under the sod remains moist. To see if the sod has taken root, gently pull on the sod and see if it comes up. If it is difficult to pull up, then roots have begun to anchor the sod and it is actively growing. At this point, please water two to three times weekly until weather cools (early to late November).
- Perennials and ground covers- Twice a week watering is all that is required for most newly planted perennials and ground covers. Keep the soil moist but not saturated, and allow soil to dry out slightly between waterings.
Some browning at the tips are not unusual for newly planted or transplanted plants. It should not be excessive, however, so if it is you may need to increase the amount of water supplied to the plant.
Some of my plants are turning yellow; what does this
mean?
Usually this means too much water. Let the soil dry out before watering.
Usually this means too much water. Let the soil dry out before watering.