Planting & Maintenance of Ornamental Plants

By: Johnny M. JessupAgriculture 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