What is Plant Material Maintenance?Plant Material Maintenance

Caring for plants to ensure the landscape is performing to its best. Examples:Fruit production for foodGarden/Flowers for aestheticsWindbreak healthTree, shrub and bed health

Amount of maintenance depends on a proper design. The right plant in the right location

Shade or sunWet or dryMature plant sizeCorrect hardiness zone

Correct installation is critical

Planting depth $100 hole for a $50 tree Soil preparation Mulching Staking of trees Timely watering

The Never Ending Story:Maintenance of the Landscape Pruning Fertilizing Staking Weed control Mulch Bed edging Pest & Disease control Winterization Watering

Pruning

Removal of a portion of a plant to Improve appearance Promote plant health Control growth Control shape

Proper times to prune are critical Must have an ultimate goal in mind for pruning

Fertilization

Promote growth vs. maintain health Proper timing is critical

Heavy nitrogen in mid summer can kill plantsFertilizing in late summer can promote growth

that will not be hardened off for winter

Staking

May be necessary to help establish good form on younger plants

Use proper materials Proper time duration

Weed Control

Hand Weeding Pre-Emergent Herbicide Post-Emergent Herbicide

Selective or non selective Mulch layer

Mulch

Retains moisture Moderates soil temperature fluctuations Aesthetics Prevents mower blight Reduces competition from other plants Organic mulch breaks down to build soil and

provide nutrients. Calculator:

1 cubic yard covers 10’ x 10’ x 3” deep

Bed Edging

Creates sharp definition between bed and turf

Prevents the turf from invading the bed Can be a “V” trench or any number of

edging materials can be used

Pest & Disease Control

Monitor plants Know which plants to expect problems on

Older spruce and Rhizosphaera needle cast Arborvitae and bagworm

When to treat is critical Euonymus scale crawlers active when catalpa in

bloom. License required to treat in many cases Chemical treatment not always the best or

easiest

Winterization

Proper care given to plants before winter to help them survive cold monthsDrought injury going into dormancySalt injurySun scaldFrost heavingAnimal damage

Watering

Too much or too little damages plants Best is infrequent and deep watering Early morning is best time New plants must be watered correctly to

help prevent transplant shock

The End