Planting & Maintenance of Ornamental Plants By: Johnny M. Jessup Agriculture Teacher/FFA Advisor

Introduction Tools vary depending upon type and size of plants. Tools range from…. Bulb planter Trowel Spade Shovel Power auger Front end loader

Planting Hole Hole should be larger than plant roots. Soil should be prepared so that new roots will grow in it.

Installation Method Installation method is determined by the root form whether it is…. Bare-rooted Balled-and-burlapped Containerized BARE-ROOT

Bare-Rooted Plants Have to have a mound or dome in the bottom of the hole to spread roots and direct them to grow downward.

Balled & Burlapped Plants Have a round soil ball of roots wrapped in burlap fabric. Planted in a hole that is…. Flat-bottomed. Straight-sided. Deeper & wider than ball.

Balled & Burlapped Plants Backfill soil should fill the hole enough to raise the plant to the level at which it grew in the nursery. Loosen burlap around the top of the plant. A mounded ring of soil should be formed around plant to catch water.

Containerized Plants Uses the same type of hole, mounded ring and etc. as balled and burlapped plants.

Containerized Plants The plant must be removed from the container and the roots unwound or cut at 2 inch intervals if pot-bound.

Containerized Plants

Staking Tall plants, even small trees, need to be staked to prevent blowing over.

Staking

Mulching Should be done to help…. Retain water. Prevent weeds. Improve appearance. Minimize temperature fluctuations.

Watering Water adequately and frequently enough for healthy plants.

Handling Balled & Burlapped Should be handled by the root ball. Container-Grown Should be handled by the container until it is removed. Then it is held by the roots.

Maintenance & Care of Landscape

Maintenance Program Usually includes…. Watering Fertilizing Mulching Pruning Pest Control Mowing Edging Winterization

Watering Should be infrequent and enough to wet soil 12 – 16” deep. Different plants have different water needs.

Watering Should be done at planting & frequently for a few days to prevent roots from drying out & plant wilting. Then less often only as needed.

Fertilization Usually not needed for established trees, but…. It should be done by making holes with a drill or soil tube about 12” deep and at 24” intervals around the tree at the canopy drip line where needed.

Fertilization Shrubs may need small amounts of low analysis fertilizer, but…. Not late in the growing season. Most lawns need fertilizer. Fertilizer should be mixed in back fill soil at planting for shrubs & trees and in soil bed for annuals & perennials.

Mulching Should be done at planting and replaced as needed. Must be replaced over time as it decays.

Pruning Done to improve appearance & health and to control size & shape of plants. Early spring flowering plants should be pruned immediately after flowers fall off.

Pruning Usually done in off- seasons when more labor is available; however…. Some plants have to be pruned at specific times.

Pruning Early Spring Blooming Shrubs Should be pruned as soon as flowers fall off so that new buds can form for next year. Damaged Branches Should be removed as soon as possible to prevent more damage to plant

Pruning Plants w/ High Sap Pressure in Early Spring Should not be pruned in spring. Examples include birches & maples. Newly Planted Trees & Shrubs Should be shaped.

Pest Control To prevent damage, pests need to be controlled such as…. Insects Diseases Weeds Rodents

Pest Control Done by treating the beds and other areas with chemicals before planting and as observed to prevent…. Weeds Insects Diseases

Mowing The keys to maintaining lawns are…. Mow at the correct height for the type of grass. Mow frequently enough to prevent damage.

Edging Makes a sharp line of separation between a planting and the a lawn. Can be done with tools or with an edging material such as plastic. Should be installed at planting time.

Winterization Prepares plants for the winter or freezing weather. Fertilize early enough in the growing season to prevent soft new growth that will die in winter.

Winterization Practices that help plants survive freezing temperatures of winter include…. Mulching. Pruning. Adequate watering. Pest control.

Maintenance Schedule Careful observation of newly planted shrubs, trees, annuals, and perennials on a regular basis will determine the time and amount of maintenance needed.

Designed By: Johnny M. Jessup; FFA Advisor Hobbton High School