Employment
Online Bill Pay
Lawn Care
Shrub Care
Tree Care
Gardening
Watering Tips
Plantings
Construction
Winter
Photos
Accolades
Contact Us

Plantings

Edge/Mulch

Michael Grimm Services strongly recommends installing a new edge on beds as well as installing a top-dressing (1") of fresh mulch over all garden areas on a yearly basis. These practices have aesthetic impact as well as providing a desired growing media for plant health care. Mulch will retain moisture as well as providing beneficial nutrients to the soil as it decomposes. Mulch also aids in suppressing weed growth. By doing this annually, it will keep costs down and keep your property looking its very best.

Products available:
Various edging products (brick, black plastic edging, etc.), weed barrier fabric, stone mulches (lava rock, brick chips, etc.) These products all aid heavily on low maintenance bed care and are very pleasing to the eye. However, they do little in the overall care of your plants.

Watering Your New Plants and Trees
Water is vital while the plant establishes a more extensive root system.  As a general rule of thumb, you should water by hand with an open-ended hose on a medium flow (sprinkler systems are not designed for deep watering of trees and shrubs).  Each plant that is a 2 gallon size container or larger should receive at least 3 gallons of water every few days, for the first 2 weeks.  Periodic deep watering of your plant is necessary. Use up to 5 gallons of water per plant through the growing season.  An important thing to consider is rain and not because you get the day off from watering (chances are there wasn’t enough rain absorbed to even count).  Unless there is an even, steady all day rain your new plantings didn’t get enough water.  The most beneficial time to water is between 5 A.M. – 11 A.M., but if you can’t water then, water between 4 P.M. – 8 P.M.

In spring, water new plants 2-3 times per week (count to at least 20 per plant) depending on the temperature and amount of rainfall.  Letting soil dry between watering is beneficial as it actually increases soil structure, however do not let the soil dry to the point that your plants wilt.

In summer, water frequently – everyday.  For plants 2 gallon & larger size count to at least 20 per plant. For the first couple of weeks in summer, water larger plantings, trees & shrubs by counting to a minimum of 30 to 45 per plant. Then water every 2-3 days (same counts) for the remainder of the summer season.  For large trees (over 20” root ball) you should invest in a soaker hose or lay the open end of the hose at the trunk set on a trickle for up to 2 hours. This should be done several times a week to achieve deep, even watering.

In fall, don’t be fooled by cooler temperatures and dampness in the air. You will still need to pay close attention to watering. Generally you can follow the same watering instructions as in the spring.  Be sure to give your trees and shrubs a good – deep watering once more in November before the ground freezes.

Michael Grimm Services -
Your complete landscape company