Photo Credit: Care2.com
Spring shrub and bush maintenance is essential to producing that perfect landscaping you are aiming for. Wondering where to begin? We can help you there.
Coming out of the winter months, take a moment to examine your landscaping and see what damage may have been done. Keep in mind while pruning, that not all plants are the same. Some are late bloomers and others early. If you prune too early, you may actually be cutting off healthy blooms that have simply yet to show themselves. You certainly do not want that! Early spring bloomers are best pruned in late spring right after they have bloomed. This gives you a clear picture of your plants and prevents accidental decreases in the amount of spring bloom. For later-blooming trees and shrubs, prune in early spring. A good way to remember these tactics is to simply prune on the opposite end of spring from their blooming patterns!
When pruning your trees, shrubs, and bushes, make sure you are considering the natural growth pattern. Cutting a plant in an unnatural shape will lead to regrowth in off patterns and look less manicured and more wild. Cutting off healthy branches to achieve unnatural shapes will also result in weak sprouts.
Photo Credit: University of Minnesota Extension
The first step to pruning any plants is remove dead, damaged, or disease-ridden branches and stems. Cutting back to the living section will encourage growth. Anything dead or diseased can provide a perfect spot for insects to develop and disease to spread. When removing a full branch, cut as close to the spot where the limb meets the trunk as possible without cutting into the trunk itself. Clean cuts will heal more quickly, so do your best to not rip or tear the bark as you remove the branch.
The next step in pruning your shrubs and bushes, after removing dead and damaged branches, is to prune diseased portions. Prune diseased portions under dry conditions as water can aid in the spread of disease. As you are pruning back diseased areas to healthy tissue, also remove branches that have grown over walkways or areas that may result in the branches being broken off. If you see branches crossing one another, prune the smaller of the two. Also prune off shoots growing sharply upward from the trunks or other branches, known as water spouts.
If you are planting new shrubs and bushes, early spring is a perfect time for that, especially in northern climates. Planning to plant bare-root trees? Spring is, in fact, the only time you should be doing that in northern climates. Planting your shrubs and bushes too late in spring may subject your shrubs to harsher summer heat too soon and planting too late in fall may bring on the winter cold before roots get a chance to take hold and establish themselves.
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For spring maintenance, watering your shrubs and bushes is essential. Water deeply and thoroughly even if infrequently. Frequent, shallow watering can lead to roots growing to the surface for water instead of growing more deeply. When watering, consider the type of soil you have and how it disperses and holds water.
Spring shrub and bush maintenance is essential for the survival and thrival of your plants. You do not want to accidentally do more damage than good, however, so consider all elements of your landscaping. Be sure to think about when your plants bloom, what type of soil they are planted in, and the local climate. Developing a plan and executing it effectively will lead you to thriving, beautiful shrubs and bushes. With spring upon us, have you started taking care of your shrubs and bushes yet?
Speaking of time and maintenance! NVS Landscapes offers lawn mowing services for Albany county, Saratoga county, and surrounding areas! Contact us if you’re interested in a quote using the form below, or give us a call:
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