It is of utmost importance that we keep our garden shrubs in good condition. They add beauty to the entire surroundings and provide a good place for relaxing. However, if they are not well taken care of, they may spoil the entire charm of your landscape completely. The best way to ensure that your shrubs stay in top shape is to take some time and learn how to properly maintain them.
Maintaining the shrubs requires you to pay attention to three aspects. First, you need to regularly water the plants. Contrary to popular belief, shrubs do not require extra water to survive. The only thing that they need more of is the extra nutrition provided by the water. If they are over-watered, they will become stunted. This is why you should water them before the first frost.
Secondly, you need to give the plants the right nutrition. Contrary to popular belief, the shrubs themselves are a perfect source of nutrients. All they need is the proper amount of time and space in which to grow. This does not mean that you should over-fertilize them. Rather, you just need to fertilize them twice a year, especially in the springtime and summer.
The soil should also be given ample time to recover. This means that it should be allowed to build up natural strength and capacity so that it can support healthy plants. This is a process which takes about two years on average. So, if you are having plants such as liatris, azaleas, or any other species that takes this long to grow, you should consider replanting your garden with another type of plant so that it has ample time to recover.
If you have grown plants for a very long time, you might have experienced one of two problems. First, you may have experienced soil that is too wet or dry. Second, you might have had to water these plants heavily when they were newly transplanted. Both of these practices will severely limit the ability of the shrubs to thrive.
It is often said that you do not want to drown the plants when transplanting them. This is true, but you also want to avoid stressing the plants out so much that they wither or die. When you are transplanting garden shrubs, make sure to do so in a gentle manner. You could simply move them in a single, evenly fashion to give them some room to grow.
This is something that new gardeners might not understand. Just because you have plenty of water and plenty of time to water your plant does not mean that you should suddenly water the plant with every drop of water that escapes from your hose. Instead, water the plant softly, just enough to keep the soil moist, while making sure that you don’t water it so hard that the roots rot or burst. You should leave the water in the soil for a day before covering it up with mulch, which is your last defense against too much water.
Most garden shrubs can survive just fine without fertilizer. Fertilizer is a good thing, though, because it keeps the roots nice and healthy. If you choose to use it, just think about how much extra dirt you will be removing. The rest of your yard will be filled with nutrients that it will desperately need.
Do not water your plants during dry days. Sure, the soil will become very soggy if you do not water your plants, but if you don’t water them at all, your plants will starve. Also, be careful that you don’t fill the soil with water right before a rainstorm comes through. Your lawn will dry out and become a real nightmare. Wait until the weather is just right and rain or shine and your lawn will be glorious again.
When you start to prune your garden shrubs, remember to do it in stages. Don’t cut your plants too short before their buds have developed any gray or white hairs. Also, be sure to only prune your garden shrubs once every few months. The longer you wait between pruning cuts on your shrubs, the less appealing they will appear to your neighbor’s eye when those gorgeous blooms are in bloom.
These tips should help give you a better idea of what you need to do to make your garden shrubs and grass look as good as possible before you ever plant anything. Remember that your shrubs and grass are there for you and will provide you with beauty and color year round. So, take care of them by looking after them. Prune them when they need to be thinned out, and be sure to water them often.
