You’ve just purchased hundreds of dollars’ worth of flowers, sweated and toiled to plant everything and now you get to sit back and relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor, right? Well yes, but to get the most out of your plants, routine maintenance will keep your flowers at their best.
Irrigation:
Consistent water is vital to new plants. Hand watering, automatic sprinkler systems, soaker hoses or drip irrigation are all effective. The method you choose will depend on the size of your flower beds and budget. Be sure to check for any excessively dry or soggy spots. Inspect plants regularly when they are new for signs of dryness (crispy, brown leaf tips, wilted foliage) or overwatering (wilting, yellowing leaves). Water needs will vary depending on sun and wind exposure, drainage, and soil quality.
Weed control:
Regular weeding is key in allowing your flowers to thrive. Set aside some time weekly to pull weeds before anything gets out of hand. For tenacious weeds or grasses, some strategic use of herbicides may be warranted. Grass killers, such as Ortho™ Grass Be Gone will kill only grasses, but not desirable plants (the exception would be ornamental grasses and iris). Careful spot spraying with a non-selective herbicide containing glysophate (Killzall™ or Roundup™) can also help with difficult weeds. Pre-Emergent herbicides prevent seeds from germinating. Applied in early summer, pre-emergents can save a lot of time weeding. Organic corn gluten and synthetic pre-emergents like Casaron™ granules help. It is important to note that pre-emergents do not kill existing weeds.
Always read the label and apply the product as directed.
Fertilizer:
Fertilizing your plants will boost the health and appearance of your plants. Granular fertilizers can be applied once or twice a season. Liquid fertilizers can be applied throughout the growing season and are quickly absorbed to provide an immediate boost to your plants. We carry a wide variety of natural and synthetic fertilizers.
Always read the label and apply the product as directed.
Mulch:
Mulch helps retain soil moisture, keeps weeds from germinating, and helps regulate soil temperature. Most mulches we stock are forestry by-products like shredded and chipped bark. Rock or gravel can also be used as mulch, depending on the look you are trying to achieve.
Deadheading:
Deadheading is the process of removing spent flower stalks. Doing this allows the plant to divert its energy from seed production to root and flower formation and helps prolong the bloom time.
Having the right tools for garden maintenance makes the job easier. Find gloves, weeders, pruners, kneeling pads, and more in the tool section of our gift shop.
VIG rewards members receive 15% off tools and gloves.
Need Help?
Our professional maintenance team can help. Contact us for a quote
