WATER & FERTILIZER

 
  Plants are composed of over 95% water so it is extremely important to
avoid letting them dry out unless they are a species which desires such 
treatment (like cactus and succulent plants like Jade). Unless it rains, 
your new planting requires watering every 2 or 3 days for about 45 minutes
per zone.
  Newly installed plants usually experience some root damage which can 
cause transplant shock in varying degrees. Watering immediately after 
planting and using a water soluble fertilizer such as PETER'S BLOSSOM 
BOOSTER ( which has a break-down of 10-50-10 ) will dramatically improve 
the plants ability to cope with being moved. It does this by stimulating root 
growth and recovery ... added bloom is actually the side effect of additional 
root growth.
  We recommend that 10-50-10 be the principle liquid-feed used for the 
entire first season after planting and it should be applied every 3 to 4 weeks.
  Blossom Booster can also be used on any plant which is about to bloom or has 
exceptionally large blooms like Hibicus.
  Triple Phosphate is a granular ( with a breakdown of 0-46-0 ) which can be 
added to the planting hole and return soil and can also be sprinkled around 
existing plants to stimulate root growth and flower production.

PRUNE

  Pruning is a means of guiding your new plants into their maturity. By pruning away spent blooms on your perennials and shrubs you are sending signals to the plant to stop working on those blooms and move onto either making more blooms or inducing other general growth. However if the plant produces fruit then do not prune until after harvest.
  Shrubs and trees which bloom late in summer should be pruned in spring after danger of frost. Most other flowering trees and shrubs should be pruned soon after they bloom and whenever the plant losses its desired shape. Remember, you must retain a few sets of leaves on any branch which you intend to keep.
  Evergreens can be pruned almost anytime during the growing season. Spring is the best time to prune needled evergreens due to the emergence of new growth which is typically the part being removed.
  Use hedge-trimmers on small needled shrubs and trees like Arborvitae, Hemlock and Alberta Spruce. Use hand-pruners or loppers when trimming large needled or cascading plants like Pines, Lg.Spruce or Mophead Cypress.You should avoid making fresh cuts in the onset of frosty evening weather.

CULTIVATE & MULCH
 

Adding mulch every season or every other season helps to retain moisture and also warmth. Cedar mulch is also effective in deterring ground dwelling insects. Mulch should be about 2 to 3 inches deep between plants but less than an inch deep at the base of the plant.
  Using a garden claw or other cultivator lightly turn the mulch in the plant bed once per month This aerates the soil and also makes watering and fertilizing more productive. It also helps to uproot any weeds which may be getting a foothold.
  Cultivating time is also a great opportunity to add PLANT-TONE. Working this all natural nutrient rich soil conditioner each season returns minerals to the soil for years of healthy plants.