GARDENING BASICS

Planting


Lightly amend sandy soil with organic matter

Gently remove plants from containers, keeping the root ball intact

Loosen potting soil and roots around bottom and edges of root ball

Plant level with surrounding soil, spreading roots outward

Fill around roots with lightly amended native soil

Water to settle soil around roots

Cover area with 1-3 inches of mulch

Don’t mound mulch onto the plant's stem/trunk

Water deeply to establish and check daily until established

Watering


Fast-growing herbaceous plants require water than woody plants

When possible, water in the morning to avoid promoting diseases

Water slowly and deeply when plants begin to wilt

Watering twice, a few minutes apart, helps water soak in deeper

Use soaker hoses and drip irrigation for efficient and water-conservative

Overwatering causes root rot

Mulches to reduce water evaporation in hot or dry weather

Form a soil "ring" around newly planted trees and shrubs plants to hold water

Pruning


Always sterilize pruning tools to prevent transmission of disease

As a general rule never remove more than 1/3 of a plant’s height at once

Cut or pinch back Tall or leggy plants to stimulate new

growth

Cut or pinch plant stems just above leaves or old leaf joints

Thin excess growth so remaining growth will be more vigorous

"Deadhead" - remove faded flowers or seed heads to stimulate new flowering

Remove dead, faded, or diseased foliage as needed

Remove some foliage during transplanting to reduce stress on new roots

Clean up plant debris to reduce pest or disease buildup

Don’t put diseased plant parts in your compost