WattLandscaping :: Seasonal Q&A

Seasonal Q&A

	Spring	Summer	Fall	Winter
When is the best time for new plantings?	Great	Great	Great	Great
Generally speaking new plants, trees, and shrubs that are nursery-grown have a well established root ball. These plants can be planted any time of year without “shocking” the plant because the roots and soil mixture (root ball) is protected inside a plastic container. Even so, with container-grown plants using the right planting techniques, giving appropriate care and watering afterward is most important to ensure planting success.
When is the best time for transplanting?	Good	Bad	Good	Great
Transplanting is more problematic than planting nursery-grown “container” plants. This is because the root ball of transplants is often disturbed during removal. In the case of trees and larger shrubs much of the root system is actually left behind when transplanting. The plant must recover from this root loss and sometimes results in a shock which is evidenced by the plant temporarily losing all or part of its leaves. Left alone, the shocked plant will almost always die. However, proper transplanting techniques and after-planting care can have highly satisfactory results.
When is the best time for trimming and pruning?	Bad	Good	Good	Great
Generally, trimming and pruning should be done during the late fall and winter months. Trimming and pruning during the spring and summer growth periods can cause the plant or tree to be more susceptible to disease. Much like transplanting, it is best to trim and prune when the plant or tree is dormant, late fall and winter. Trimming and pruning not only helps shape the plant or tree to your liking but can actually save the tree from harm by thinning it out so that it is less susceptible to strong winds. This can also help the lower branches and leaves, and the lawn underneath, get sunlight. Certain plants, such as azaleas and oleanders, have specific pruning needs. There is both a science and an art to pruning, so when in doubt seek a professional opinion.
When is the best time for mulching beds?	Good	Good	Great	Great
Keeping an appropriate depth of mulch is important year-round. In our area, the most important function of the mulch is to keep moisture in the bed from evaporating away during dry weather, which can happen anytime of year. Proper mulch coverage is usually easier to achieve during the winter when there are fewer flowers and small plants. Fall and Winter are great times for cleaning out old dead and dying plants, exposed roots, and checking for the proper amount of mulch—about 2 inches deep is recommended.

What other considerations are important when planning what to do and when to improve my landscape?
Irrigation – A properly designed and installed irrigation system with automatic controls can be a life saver for your landscape, especially if your lifestyle does not afford you the time to spend watering the plants regularly. Unless you want a rock or cactus garden, appropriate watering is the single most important task in any landscaping maintenance plan. Drainage and Erosion Control – This element of the design is also very important for landscape maintenance and longevity, second only to irrigation. In this area, when it rains it pours. It is important to control runoff from rooflines, gutters and raised beds so that the soil and mulch covering the root systems of your plants and trees does not end up in the storm drain or your walkway and driveway. We take care in every design to account for drainage and erosion issues so that we are part of the solution, not part of the problem. Plant Selection – It comes as no surprise that certain plants and trees do better than others in our climate. But did you know that your specific surroundings give your location its own “micro” climate? Plant selection for your location’s micro climate is every bit as important as considering plants indigenous to our macro climate. We will use our knowledge and experience to help you through the selection process. Owner’s Preference Assessment© – Our systematic approach to landscape design and installation begins with the Owner’s Preference Assessment©. Watt Landscaping developed this tool to help ensure that we fully understand your specific needs and preferences prior to embarking on the design. This assessment tool will help us both to think through some of the issues presented above relative to your specific needs as well as many other factors that are very important to the design and installation of your unique landscape. To receive your Owner’s Preference Assessment© tool, click on “Schedule a Consultation”, tell us about yourself and your needs, and a Watt Landscaping professional will promptly contact you and will tell you how to receive your own Owner’s Preference Assessment©.

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