Greenkeepers Lawn Service & Landscaping Inc Blog | Medina, OH

New Lawn Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:19:00 GMT

The post New Lawn Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .

New Planting Beds Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:17:00 GMT

Mulching

After planting a tree, or installing a planting bed, cover the bed or tree pit area with shredded mulch (hardwood bark). The application of mulch benefits the beds in the following ways:

Mulch reduces the need for watering by helping retain soil moisture;
Mulch stabilizes the soil temperature;
Mulch adds needed organic matter to the soil as it decompresses;
Mulch reduces the weed population in plant and tree beds; and
Pine and hardwood bark mulch reduce the population of certain disease pathogens in the soil.

Mulch should be supplemented to replace that which has been lost due to wind and decomposition. It should be spread evenly at a total depth of not more than 3 inches when reapplied. One to two inches of mulch can be applied yearly as long as the total depth of mulch does not exceed 3 inches. Mulch should be lightly cultivated or turned over during the growing season to improve the flow of air and water to the soil and can be turned and raked in the spring to enrich its appearance.

Edging

Many of your landscape planting beds may border lawn areas. In the absence of permanent edging (steel, plastic, treated wood, brick, etc.) a neat edge is attained by “edging” the bed with a garden spade or power bed edger. Use a sharp square spade to cut a narrow “V” approximately 2 inches deep along the edges of all beds bordering turf at least once per year, preferably in middle spring. The edge can be touched up throughout the growing season.

Weed Control

Weed control can be a very easy task requiring little time when preventative measures are taken:

Keep beds mulched, as suggested;
Apply a “pre-emergent” weed control* to all shrub bed areas in early spring;
Use contact herbicide sprays* on actively growing weeds, but be sure not to spray desirable plants.

*Contact our office for information on available products and services. Remember to always follow the instructions on the label when applying herbicides and other chemicals on your own.

The post New Planting Beds Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .

New Tree Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:14:00 GMT

Watering

All plants need water. As a supplement to fertilizing, trees may need to be watered. Newly transplanted trees need at least 1” of water per week for the first season. This should include both rainfall and additional water. During the first five years of growth, water should be added during any 2 to 3-week dry period when little or no rainfalls. Older trees should be watered at least once per month in drought periods. Thorough watering BEFORE the ground freezes is especially important in dry autumn.

The key to proper watering is to get the water to the ROOT ZONE where it is needed most. (This is the area roughly 3 feet deep under the DRIP LINE of the tree.) The easiest method is to slowly water the surface of the root zone until saturated 1 to 3 feet deep. The tree pit area of a newly planted tree should be thoroughly saturated every week or two during the growing season.

Timing for the watering of trees varies with weather conditions and from season to season. The chart below shows the periods of most beneficial watering.

Fertilization

For your newly planted trees, up to one year after transplanting, no fertilizer is necessary since a proper planting soil mixture was used. However, after the first year and each year thereafter, fertilize as follows:

Shade Trees and Small Trees: Use tree spikes with a fertilizer formulation of 16-8-8. Use one (1) spike for each inch of trunk thickness, as diagrammed below:

Evergreen Trees: Use spikes with a fertilizer formulation of 12-6-8. Use one (1) spike for each inch of trunk thickness. (Same principle and procedure as diagrammed above.)

Drive spikes into the soil at DRIP LINE of the tree.

6” diameter of trunk= 6 equally spaced spikes.

Other Fertilizing Techniques

Granular Fertilization: Drill holes in soil every 18” to 24” of the root zone, and apply 4 ounces of 10-6-4 fertilizer per each inch of trunk thickness.
Root Feeding: Accomplished by inserting a root feeder/waterer 12” to 15” deep in soil every 24” to 36” throughout the root zone. (This method is best done by a professional with the proper equipment.)
Foliar Feeding: Sprayed-on fertilizer for trees whose roots are paved over or otherwise inaccessible. Provides fast-acting nutrients directly to foliage. Foliar feeding can take place from May to July.

When to Fertilize

Fertilize once per year, either in the spring or autumn. In the spring, fertilize as soon as the frost has left the ground. In autumn, fertilizer should be applied after the leaves have dropped from the trees. Fast-acting (quick release) nitrogen should not be used between August 1 ^st and leaf drop. It may bring on new growth not ready for a cold November or December.

Generally, the ideal time to fertilize is in autumn after the leaves have fallen, but prior to the ground freezing.

The post New Tree Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .

New Shrub Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:05:00 GMT

Fertilizer

For your newly planted shrubs, up to one year after transplanting, no fertilizer is necessary since Greenkeepers used a proper planting soil mixture when installing your shrubbery. After the first year, however, and each year thereafter, fertilize shrubbery as follows:

Apply fertilizer with a formulation of 12-12-12 evenly to the entire shrub bed at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds of ACTUAL NITROGEN per 1,000 square feet. Do not allow fertilizer to fall onto turf areas.

For acid-loving shrubs, such as rhododendrons and bayberries, use a fertilizer that contains ALUMINUM SULFATE or an IRON SULFATE.

Watering

For newly planted shrubs, sufficient water is essential for survival. At least 1 inch of water per week (including both rainfall and additional watering) is necessary for the first season after planting.

During the second season and thereafter, shrubs may need to be watered during drought periods. (Again, at least one inch of water per week.) A drought period may be defined as a 2 week period (or longer) with little or no rainfall.

Pruning

The best time to prune shrubs depends on whether they bloom on wood grown the previous year or wood developed during the current year. Most shrubs bloom on the previous year’s wood, and therefore, if pruning is necessary, it should be done immediately after they are finished flowering.

The following is a list of shrubs that flower on new growth, and should be pruned during early spring, before the growth begins:

American Adler
Bittersweet
Cinquefoil (Potentilla) Species
Coralberry (Symphoricarpis) Species
Fleeceflower
Hydrangeas
Red Stem Dogwood
Sourwood
Spirea Species
Spreading Euonymus
St. Johnswort (Kalmia) Species
Witchhazel (spring and fall flowering) should be pruned in late April.

The post New Shrub Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .

New Perennial Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 19:04:00 GMT

Fertilization

Newly planted perennial gardens shouldn’t need fertilization until the second year. For most perennials, a simple application of 5-10-5 in the spring is sufficient. Apply the fertilizer evenly throughout the planting beds at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. You should take care not to allow the fertilizer to fall onto the lawn areas. Be sure to water the fertilizer into the soil after application.

Watering

Most perennials need one inch of water per week. This applies to newly installed gardens and mature gardens, too. Avoid over-watering. Over-watering can lead to fungi, such as mildew, wilt, and rust. Mulching yearly to maintain a depth of 3 inches in your planting beds will help to retain moisture, but be sure to leave the plant base open (do not allow mulch to touch the plant stems).

Division

Most perennials will benefit from periodic dividing. This will improve the appearance and blooming. It will also help control spreading. Early spring and fall are the best times to divide plants. Some plants are best if left alone and should not be divided. They include Baptisas, Hellebores, and Peonies.

Pruning

Removing spent blooms (referred to as deadheading) on most perennials will improve the appearance and prevent possible seeding. Some perennials will re-bloom Achillea, Nepeta, and Purple Salvia.

Consult our office for information on specific varieties. Remember to always follow the instructions on the label when applying any fertilizers and chemicals.

The post New Perennial Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .

New Groundcover Care

Thu, 12 May 2022 18:58:00 GMT

Fertilization

For newly planted groundcover beds, during the first spring and summer after installation, fertilize every month with a liquid spray such as Miracle-Gro. Follow the label instructions for mixing.

After the first year, and each year thereafter, fertilize as follows: Every May apply a fertilizer with a formulation like 22-11-11 to all groundcover beds at a rate of 2 to 3 pounds of actual nitrogen per 1,000 square feet. Do not allow fertilizer to fall onto turf areas. Take care to “water in” the fertilizer immediately after application, and wash all particles from leaf surfaces.

Watering

All types of groundcover need to be watered immediately after planting, as do all other landscape plantings. (Water thoroughly to the depth of the plant roots.) During the first 3 to 4 weeks after planting rooted groundcover cuttings, light, daily irrigation is beneficial. This initial period is the time when the roots will take to the new soil, and under-watering can kill the young cuttings, but over-watering can rot them or bring on disease. After the groundcover cuttings have become established, average rainfall should be sufficient. However, during drought periods, additional weekly waterings may be necessary.

Pruning and Thinning

Normally, very little pruning is necessary for the maintenance of groundcover beds. Remove unwanted growth from sidewalk edges and around adjacent plants as needed. Pruning and selective trimming of tall plants should be done early in spring. Periwinkle, pachysandra, and purple leaf wintercreeper can be most easily top-trimmed with a good sharp mower. As often as needed, use a mower or trimmers to cut groundcover to a uniform height. If the planting gets too thick, it can be “chopped” with a verti-cutter and raked out. Daylilies respond well to this, too.

Mulching

A 2-inch continuous bed of mulch is necessary for all groundcover areas for the first one and one-half years. This will help to keep weeds and grasses out of the beds and allow the groundcover to fill in thickly and uniformly. All groundcover areas, except ivy, need to be cleaned out in late autumn if trees have dropped leaves into the beds, so the leaves do not smother and mat down the groundcover over winter. Leaving fallen leaves in an ivy bed will protect the plants during a harsh winter. Remove these leaves in the spring.

The post New Groundcover Care appeared first on Green Keepers Inc .