Watering*
Ideally, soil at a 3" depth should be kept slightly moist to touch, not wet. During the first season, check your plants weekly, more often during dry periods. Once established, check your plants every 2-4 weeks, depending upon the weather. When watering is necessary, place a trickling hose at the base of the plant till thoroughly saturated. Your watering can be greatly reduced with 2-3" layer of mulch. Because plants in containers dry out quickly, newly purchased plants must be watered frequently while they are waiting to be planted. Keeping them in a cool location will help keep them at their best, as well. Of course, the sooner your plants can be installed, the happier they will be.

Fertilization*
Green View plant material has been fertilized to accommodate one complete growing season's growth, after which, fertilizing is best done in spring or late fall when dormant. Fertilizing in summer will cause stress and winter injury. We carry fertilizers formulated for specific plants, fertilizers for more general use, as well as organic fertilizers. Application will vary with circumstances, always strictly follow manufacturer's instructions.

 
   
   
Pruning*
It is very important to insure the best possible branch structure while trees are young. At time of planting, be sure to remove all crossing branches. Side branches of trees with a central leader should be evenly spaced up and down the trunk. If possible don't allow more than one branch to originate at the same location. Always make clean, sharp pruning cuts, leaving no stubs. Timing is important with pruning. For deciduous trees and shrubs one can prune early flowering plants (ie. Flowering Crabs or Forsythia) directly after flowering in May or June. Prune late flowering plants (ie. Hydrangea or Viburnum) in February or March. Evergreens should be pruned in spring before new growth begins. When pruning avoid rigid shaping and work with the plants natural form and size. Often plants are inappropriately placed and should just be replaced rather than brutally cut back each year. Plants should be carefully chosen, not only for ornamental attributes; but consider available space, mature size and growth habit.



Sod Care*

• Water 1-3 hours per sprinkler setting, depending on weather and soil conditions
• Mow when leaf growth reaches 3-4"
• Lawn fertilizer available at our Garden Center can be applied 30 days after installation
• See watering and mowing calendar (right)

One can reduce lawn maintenance and a lot of hassle by selecting the right grass seed mix. In some instances, you might have two or even three different seed mixes in your lawn; and sometimes it is best to admit defeat and plant ground covers or hosta. A few things to consider include: the level of maintenance, the intensity of shade and the amount of wear or use the turf will receive.

 


Grass Seed and Installation Care*

• Fall seeding is often preferred as weed germination is minimized and conditions are best for root development. The best times of the year to seed are August 15th to October 15th and April 1st to May 15th.
• Rake up ground to form seed bed, should be free of clods, weeds, and debris.
• Evenly broadcast seed at specified rate, 4 lbs./1000sq. ft. or 2-3 lbs./1000 sq. ft. for overseeding. A grid pattern is often used to assure a complete coverage without gaps.
• Evenly apply seed starter fertilizer (following manufacturer's instructions) and rake in with seed.
• Mulch lightly with straw and water. Seed bed should be kept moist till germination, after which watering can be cut back substantially.
• Refrain from walking on lawn till established. n Mow when seedlings reach 3-4".
• To attain the desired turf thickness, it may be necessary to overseed.

   

Composting*
Compost piles or bins are a handy and inexpensive source of mulch, organic nutrients and soil conditioners. The pile can be freestanding, or contained in purchased, or simply made bins. Wood frames with chicken wire or a three sided bin of brick/concrete block are homemade structures that work well. The area for your pile should be about 3 feet square, but no more than 5 feet square.

• The first layer of the compost pile should be 4 inches of organic matter - leaves, small twigs, old vegetables or flower stalks, weeds and grass clippings.
• Next, sprinkle on a thin layer of blood meal, fish emulsion or all-purpose fertilizer, containing nitrogen. The addition of Compost Maker, helps speed the process as well.
• Then spade in a thin layer of ordinary soil. Continue adding layers in this order, until the compost heap is about 3 feet high.
• Wet the pile again with Compost Maker and water in well. Water helps activate the bacteria in the compost, and also helps create heat which speeds the decomposition and helps purify the pile.
• Turn the layers each week and water during dry spells. Covering with a sheet of plastic is not necessary, but does help conserve water and heat. For those working with limited space, our high quality screened mushroom compost is an excellent alternative to a compost bin.


Tree & Shrub Planting*
Dig the hole up to twice as wide as the root ball. The hole should be dug to the same depth or 1" shallower for shrubs and 2-4" shallower for trees. In poorly drained soils, plantings should be shallower to allow for drainage. A plant should never be planted deeper than the level at which it was growing. Amend soil by mixing 1/3 Sphagnum Peat Moss, Plant One Mix or Mushroom Compost with 2/3 existing soil. For balled and burlapped plants: properly position the root ball, remove twine and burlap from top half and slit bottom half to allow for root growth. For container plants: Completely remove containers and loosen roots or slit root ball sides to alleviate circling roots. Properly position root ball. Fill the hole 3/4 full with amended soil, firmly compact to prevent air pockets, water and finish filling the hole. Build a watering saucer (a shallow dam to aid in watering) and water once again. Mulch with shredded hardwood bark or cypress mulch to a depth of 2-3". It will retain moisture, inhibit weed growth, and protect the roots from temperature extremes. Keep mulch clear of the stems. Stake larger trees and evergreen trees, especially those planted in exposed, windy areas. Our stake kits include everything you need to properly stake your tree. Watering is important. Soil at a 3" depth should be kept moist to touch, not wet. When watering is necessary, place a trickling hose at the base of the plant till thoroughly saturated. Newly purchased plants can dry out quickly as they wait for planting, water them as needed. Give your plants a boost, water them with Fertilome Root Stimulator or Fertilome Root 'N Bloom. An organic option: In amending the soil for planting, use mushroom compost and bone meal to promote root development

Ground Cover & Perennial Planting* Remove any grass or weeds from the designated area. Till soil 6-8" deep and incorporate a 2" layer of Annual and Perennial Mix, Mushroom Compost or Sphagnum Peat Moss and Bone Meal. Mulch area evenly with 2-3" of hardwood mulch. If planting perennials, lay out the plants to determine spacing and proper placement. Remove the pots and gently loosen or untangle the roots. Plant ground cover/perennials through mulch, firming soil around each root mass.

*See our plant care sheets for more information.