Please note the following points are general guidelines. For more specific information, call us! Or contact your local garden centre or tree nursery.

Lawncare

– How often should I water?

New sod or seeded lawns should be watered every two days, and increase this frequency when temperatures are above 25 degrees or during prolonged dry periods. New lawns should receive at least one inch of water per week, with deeper watering providing more benefit than shorter ones

– What’s the best time to water?

Ideally your new lawn (along with any new plantings or transplants) should be watered in the early morning as the sun comes up

Trees & Shrubs

– Should I use mulch?

Definitely! It is the best thing you can do for your garden to naturally protect and nourish it. Aged composted bark mulch is preferred over bark chips or nuggets that are often sold in bags. Composted mulch provides a finished look to the garden while adding benefits like:

Promoting water retention in the soil around the plant’s root system
Reduces of weed growth
Cools the soil in the heat of the summer
Creates a habitat for beneficial insects and microbes in the soil, which helps control pests that enter the garden, while adding soil nutrients as the mulch breaks down

– When Should I Prune?

Avoid pruning, unless you are confident in the pruning techniques needed for that particular plant/shrub/tree
Rule of thumb, if you need a ladder to do the pruning, call an expert
Prune trees while they are dormant in late fall or early spring, and shrubs after the flowering cycle has ended

– When should I fertilize?

In the Spring and Fall, before/after blooming, or when you see stress in a plant. Fertilizing is only of value to the plant when they are actively growing
Avoid any heavy feeding in the first year of planting
You can reduce fertilizer applications by half, if you are constantly topping up with aged composted mulch

– When can I remove tree stakes?

After one year, or when you can rock the tree and it feels solid at the base. The stakes are meant to keep newly developed root systems from becoming damaged when the tree moves in the wind

– Can I add additional plants to my garden?

When you consider adding additional plants to your garden space, ensure you choose the right plant for the right place. Important factors to review: sun or shade requirements, wet or dry conditions, and space required for a plant to mature
Underwatering (forces plants/trees/shrubs to look for water) is always better than over watering (causes root rot). The correct amount of water is always best
Thirsty for more knowledge? Grab a copy of The Twelve Month Gardener. This is a book written by a gardener on the west coast for the west coast
Ask questions, lots of them
Make gardening a part of your health regime, grow things to eat, cut flowers for your home and herbs for your tea. Nature is medicine

Landscaping FAQs