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Evergreen, Deciduous Shrubs and Roses

Soil in beds containing any of these plants should be lightly cultivated weekly to a 5 cm. depth. Do not cultivate too deeply as feeder roots may be injured.

MULCHING

Much has been written about mulches and many types are available. Peat moss, Cocoa Bean shells will prevent weed growth and moisture loss.

WATERING

Evergreen and Deciduous Shrubs

Soil around these shrubs, must at all times be moist. Evergreens especially must have a thorough soaking just prior to "freeze-up". This is particularly important when shrubs grow beneath an overhang. Watering "deep" may only be accomplished by leaving a sprinkler in one location for long periods. (Two hour minimum.) Cedar hedges need a regular supply of moisture. If the fall season is dry, give Cedars additional watering and mulch to provide them with an adequate reserve over the winter.

Trees

Trees require deep watering twice each week in hot weather. Spraying the foliage

LAWNS

When watering, apply sufficient moisture to wet the soil to a depth of at least 12 cm. Depending on weather. and soil conditions, the lawn will probably remain moist

Mowing

Lawns should be "pruned" every five to seven days with a sharp lawnmower.

Fertilizing

Lawns: improved Bluegrass lawns such as Park, require at least 3 kg. of Nitrogen per 10 m2 per growing season. The plants will not take all this food at the same time. It is important to feed regularly every month with small quantities, or split the fertilizer applications in order to apply 0.5 kg. of nitrogen per month. To achieve this, start early (once the last trace of snow has disappeared and the ground is fairly dry).

FERTILIZING

Trees: If tree is standing in lawn or garden, fertilize early spring and in late fall. The best method is to punch 3 cm diameter holes 20 cm deep and 50 cm apart beyond the drip line, and place 1/2 cup of  Food in each hole. Backfill holes with peat or sand and water in. Root Feeders and fertilizer spikes are also handy for feeding of tree roots.

Evergreens: Fertilize in early spring or late fall with Food at 1 cup per square meter of soil surface underneath the plants or use evergreen fertilizer spikes.

Deciduous Shrubs: For problem free shrubs, use  1 / 2 cup per square meter as above.

Hedges: Established  Up to 1 meter in early spring: clean cultivate a strip 30 cm wide on either side or out to the drip line. For trouble free hedges, spread, Shrub and Tree Food in bands 60 cm wide on both sides of the hedge water in well.  

Pruning:

Evergreens

Evergreens may be pruned either in April before growth begins, or in July after new growth is hardened

Rhododendrons

Rhododendrons in most cases require no pruning as grown in eastern Canada.

As illustrated above, most deciduous shrubs should not be pruned to form round shape.

Trees

Various types of pruning are carried out on older trees, including thinning, shaping and "dead-wooding". Generally these operations should be carried out by an expert Dendrologist or Arborist.

Hedges

Newly planted deciduous hedges such as Maples, Privet, Honeysuckle, Willow below.

Roses

Rules of Thumb in Pruning

1. Locate the oldest, thickest and longest branches and cut them to make them shortest.

2. Prune right after blooming

3. It's better to prune late, then not to prune at all.

4. Do not use hedge cutter, use only pruning sheers or garden snipers.   

Pruning (Metro Toronto & Area) Our trained landscape crews are available In late winter and August for pruning fruit trees, evergreens and ornamental trees and shrubs.