Planting & Maintenance of Ornamental Plants

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.

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

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

Planting & Maintenance of Ornamental Plants