Congratulations on your new Designer Outdoors landscape! It’s important to take care of your new plants, and we’ve got some quick tips to help you do that.
First off, your plants have been watered throughout the project, but 48 hours after we leave, you will need to water them 2-3 times per week for 1-2 minutes per plant depending on size, and 10-15 minutes for trees. To check the soil moisture, feel the soil 3-6” deep before each watering to ensure water is required for the first 6 weeks.
During the first three months after planting, which is called the establishment period, you need to pay extra attention to your plants, especially watering them properly. After this period, your plants will need regular long-term maintenance, including fertilizing, pruning, and watering.
When we leave, your plants will be thoroughly watered, and your sprinkler system (if applicable) will be set up for the short term. However, you are responsible for the monitoring and care of your plants once we’re gone. Watch them closely, checking regularly for proper moisture. New plants with small roots need more moisture during the first 3 months than older plants with established root systems.
Water needs will vary based on your site and soil conditions, and you should water only when necessary. The following guide will help you get started:
If you have a drip sprinkler system, water 2-3 times per week for 30-45 minutes. If you are watering plant to plant with a hose, water perennials for 30 seconds each, shrubs for 1 minute each, and trees for 10-15 minutes each with the hose at a trickle and resting at the trunk.
After the first three months, your plants should be through their establishment period and will begin to require a long-term maintenance approach. Some plant varieties can be sustained with rainfall alone, except under drought-like conditions. Fertilizing, pruning, weeding, and monitoring moisture are all part of ongoing maintenance, depending on your goals and commitment to keeping your landscape flourishing.
Your lawn also needs special attention after hydroseeding. Do not water it for 24 hours after hydroseeding, and then for the first 30 days, water your lawn three times per day for 3-8 minutes per watering, just enough to keep the seed moist, and avoid puddling. Your first mow should occur once 1/4 of the lawn reaches a height of 3-3.5 inches.
Don’t worry if you notice some small brown limbs or foliage, especially on evergreens like Junipers and Arborvitaes. These are typically small broken limbs that can easily be pruned, picked, or brushed from the plant and are not threats to the overall health of the plant.
If you need any more help or specific instructions, give us a call, and we’ll be happy to provide pruning services for you as necessary.