Aftercare

Simplified care for your new Landscaping

Thank you for choosing Plantique! The beauty, functionality and value of your newly landscaped yard are only the beginning. As time passes and plants mature, your appreciation for your landscaping and the enjoyment you will get from it will grow even more.

Because we know how important your property is to you, we have compiled this aftercare guide. In it you will find information that will help you care for your newly installed landscaping, and resources that offer lots of further information on landscaping, gardening and horticulture. For additional landscaping advice, check out our Tips & FAQs. 

Here's your guide to the essentials of aftercare for your new Plantique landscaping:

Watering

Newly Installed Trees and Mid- to Large-Size Shrubs

Water trees and shrubs with a plain hose or one fitted with a nozzle using a slow trickle. Trees should receive 20-30 minutes of water each, shrubs 5-10 minutes each. (*See note below.) During the spring and fall months, water these plants twice per week. During the summer months, water two to three times per week. Do not rely on a sprinkler, as evaporation and grass or smaller plants on the surface of the soil can prevent the tiny drops of water from reaching the tree and shrub roots that lie deeper down in the ground.

Newly Installed Annuals, Perennials, Small Shrubs and Ground Covers

Generally speaking, freshly installed annuals should be watered every day. Your project manager will be able to tell you about the individual watering needs of your perennials, small shrubs and ground covers for both the new-installation period and for long-term care. For these smaller plants, a sprinkler works just fine. Turn the sprinkler on during the day (preferably in the early morning or late afternoon, when the temperature is not at its peak), and let it run for approximately 2 hours. (*See note below.) Please note that a plant's watering needs are affected by weather, sun and soil conditions, as well.

Newly Seeded Lawns

Grass seeds need to stay moist (but not saturated) to germinate, therefore you will most likely have to water your turf area with a sprinkler twice or more each day for about two or three weeks, depending upon the weather conditions. Once the grass is established, you can gradually wean back the amount of watering you do, but in the beginning it is best to be careful and consistent.

To learn about lawn care tips and advice for established lawns, click here.

Newly Sodded Lawns

Water the sod immediately after installation, then be sure to soak it two times a day for approximately 2 to 4 weeks, until you can no longer pick up sections of it with your hands. A good soaking gives your lawn about ¼ of an inch of water minimum. Do not let the sod get too dry during the day. You can gradually cut back on the amount of watering you do once the grass has acclimated to your yard, but in the first few months it is important to be consistent and attentive with the sprinkler. And remember, weather conditions will most certainly affect how often and how much you need to water your newly sodded lawn.

To read more tips and advice for established lawns, check out our Tips & FAQs.

*Watering Note: Extreme soil, shade or weather conditions may affect watering requirements. Please check with your project manager about proper watering criteria if any of these conditions exist on your property.

Fertilizing

Trees, Shrubs and Small Plants

Plantique includes an initial fertilization (when it is necessary) with all our plant installations. It is probably not necessary for you to add any fertilizers to your new landscaping. If there is an exception to this general rule, your project manager will let you know. Most established plants need only to be fertilized in spring and fall with a complete fertilizer (10-5-5, 20-10-10 or similar), and Plantique recommends using a slow release organic fertilizer whenever possible.

Lawns

Newly installed grass may be fertilized four weeks after installation, and again four-to-six weeks after that. Be careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions exactly if you are applying the fertilizer yourself, as over-fertilizing can burn out young grass. Do not use any pre-emergent or broadleaf weed-killers on your newly installed grass for at least 12-to-16 weeks, and then use caution if you do decide to apply these products before the lawn is a year old.

Plantique’s Forever Green division offers complete and customized lawn fertilization programs, including organic and semi-organic options, should you prefer professional care for your grass.

Trimming/Pruning

It is generally OK to trim dead or crossing branches and unwanted growth when ever they appear, just be sure that you do not trim more than one-third of the plant at any given time. With newly installed trees and large shrubs, it is usually best not to prune or trim more than is absolutely necessary, because you do not want to over-stress the plants as they adjust to their new environment. Flowering shrubs should be trimmed immediately after flowering, while evergreens should generally be trimmed from June 15th to August 15th. Pines, however, can be trimmed approximately from Memorial Day to June 15th.

Mulching

Mulch is important in planting beds, and around newly installed trees and shrubs. Organic mulch, made from tree bark and other biodegradable materials, does more than just look good in your landscaping. Mulch helps the soil in planting beds retain water, reduces soil temperature fluctuations, retards weed, helps reduce soil erosion and compaction, and provides nutrients to the soil as it breaks down. Mulch should be spread evenly to about two to three inches in depth. Do not pile too much mulch under shrubs or around the base of tree trunks, however. You want to keep these areas as clear as possible, which means a thin layer is all you need.

When your landscaping was installed, Plantique laid down the proper amount of mulch for your project, so you will probably not need to spread more for at least the next 6 months to a year. The exception to this would be if extreme weather conditions in your area (such as flooding or severe rain or snow melt run-off) remove a deep layer of mulch from your planting beds. In that case, applying a top dressing of mulch would be recommended. From a maintenance perspective, mulch is usually applied in mid-spring to help prevent weeds and hold moisture in the soil, and, if need be, in late fall to aid in winterizing less-hardy plants.

Sometimes fungus may appear in mulch. Fungus is a normal part of the decomposing process of wood mulch, and it is usually harmless to plants. Fungus most commonly appears between April and November, after it has rained. Those unsightly clumps, clusters or slimy patches you see on your mulch may be orange, yellow, brown or some other color, depending on what variety you have. Since there are so many different types of fungus, it is best to contact your local county extension agency to learn about the best way to get rid of the particular variety you have in your yard. Penn State University has an excellent Web page describing common mulch fungus and what to do about them. To check it out, click here. (To contact PSU's Cooperative Extension, Lehigh County Office, with a more specific mulch inquiry, click here.

The mulch in your planting beds should be watered along with your plants so that it is nice and moist. Let the mulch dry out between waterings, but not to the point of cracking. Try not to water on heavily overcast or rainy days. Following these steps will help keep your planting beds healthy and looking good.

Water Gardens, Ponds & Waterfalls

To keep your water gardens in good condition, proper routine maintenance is important. Once established, they should require minimal routine care. You should remove yellow or brown leaves and deadhead spent flowers from water plants, and scoop out any build up of debris off the floor of the pond. It's time to prune back any water plants if they restrict the movement of your fish, and time to divide potted plants if they appear overgrown. By keeping your water plants healthy and groomed, you can help reduce nitrogen build up and provide your pond shade. This should keep excessive algae from forming green scum on the surface of your pond.

In autumn, a good way to prevent leaves from falling into your pond is to apply some netting, such as vinyl deer fence. You can remove the netting after the leaves around the pond have all fallen, or when entertaining guests.

In winter, it may not be necessarily to shut down your pond completely. If you do decide to leave it running, keep an eye out for ice dams that can form on the waterfalls. These dams can cause leaks. Continue to clear out leaves and debris as they build up in the pond, too. Since fish hibernate at the bottom of ponds for the winter, they should survive just fine. Just be sure the pond doesn't completely freeze down to the bottom. In the late, chilly part of fall, you can even stop feeding your fish, since they won't digest food properly in the cold water anyway.

Some water plants may need to be wintered over indoors. Click here for a list of water garden plants and their care instruction from Penn State's Cooperative Extension Web site.

For an excellent comprehensive guide to caring for of ponds and waterfalls, please refer to Aquascape's maintenance, tips and troubleshooting Web page.

Plantique also offers water garden, pond and waterfall services. To contact our maintenance division regarding this service, click here.

Pools & Hot Tubs

If you have recently installed a new pool or spa, you'll be glad to know that swimming pools have never been easier to maintain than they are now.

The Association of Pool & Spa Professionals (APSP) has developed a booklet that you can download from their Web site to help you get all the enjoyment you expect from your pool investment. It includes information on support equipment, accessories, chemicals and ways to efficiently care for your pool. Basic steps and operations, and understanding how to keep the water free from harmful bacteria and algae are covered in the publication. To access the APSP booklet, click here.

The APSP also offers information specifically for hot tubs, which you can access by clicking here.

Winterizing your pool means getting it ready for the cold weather and frozen ground. Taking a few precautions, from simply washing off pool equipment and accessories and storing them properly to the actual closing down of your pool for the season, are all covered in the APSP booklet. Always check with your professional pool installer for specific advice that applies to your area and your pool style.

Plantique-designed pool projects are installed by our select subcontractors, each of whom can answer your specific maintenance questions and supply you with many products for your swimming pool or hot tub. To contact the installer of your pool, please use the information below:

Anthony & Sylvan Pools
www.anthonysylvan.com
Lamar Center
Main Street & Route 100
Fogelsville, PA 18051
(610) 530-8622

Carlton Pools
www.carltonpools.com
7620 Hamilton Blvd
Trexlertown, PA 18087
(610) 336-4446

Barry Bartakovits Custom Pools
www.custompoolsbybarry.com
(610) 691-POOL (691-7665)

Patios, Walkways & Other Brick/Paver Hardscapes

Plantique takes great care in the installation of all our hardscapes to keep problems such as settling to a minimum. We take into account the drainage properties of your soil type and the seasonal fluctuations in temperature for our mid-Atlantic region. Unfortunately, we cannot always control or predict the ground conditions lying deep below each individual yard, and sometimes settling can occur over time. Luckily, there are some fairly simple steps homeowners can take to help prevent and remedy minor problems.

After all the frost is out of the ground, you should always evaluate your brick, paver or flagstone area's condition. Often, patios and walks will return to their original grade once the frost is finally gone.

If you do find settled areas, they can be raised without too much difficulty by lifting the bricks, adding #10 grit until the correct levelness has been achieved, and then resanding the joints for a finished appearance

Maintaining the levels of sand will also help keep weeds and grass from growing between the bricks, pavers or stones. If you still find an occasional unwanted plant popping out from between the bricks that you cannot simply pull out, you may want to try a soap-based weed killer (such as Sharpshooter) or systemic herbicide (such as Round Up), but be sure to test the product on an brick or paver left over from your hardscape project first to make sure it will not stain. Some people have reported success with pouring boiling water on weeds and grass growing between their bricks, but since the hot water can splash and burn you, extra caution should be taken when trying this method. Just as with the sprays, spot check on an extra brick, paver or stone first.

Click here for more information about the use of salt and other snow removal methods on paver, brick and stone walkways and driveways.

Pottery, Stone Fountains & Outdoor Furniture

All pottery must be emptied and stored in a semi-heated area over the winter. Stone fountains should be drained and covered, and stored per the care instructions that came with these items when they were purchased. Most outdoor furniture should also be stored indoors or sheltered from the weather. Please follow the manufacturer's care and storage instructions for all your outdoor furniture and other man-made garden products.

Customer Service & Warranty: Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Where can I find more plant care information for my landscaping?

A: Now that your landscaping project is complete, you probably want to learn more about the trees, shrubs and other plants you now own. Our customer service representative will be happy to assist you with simple inquires regarding maintenance and long-term care, so feel free to call us at 610-395-6940 or e-mail us. But if you are like many of our customers, you have most likely had your gardening and landscaping interest piqued once your custom project was installed. For those of you who are a bit more curious, there are excellent gardening and horticulture resources available in a variety of forms that will help you get the most enjoyment possible from your landscaping.

Locally, the Penn State Cooperative Extension has a wealth of information on gardening and horticulture specific to our region. You can contact them at:

Penn State Cooperative Extension, Lehigh Valley Office
Lehigh County Agricultural Center
4184 Dorney Park Road, Room 104
Allentown, PA 18104-5798
Phone: 610-391-9840
Fax: 610-391-0683
Office Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
E-Mail: LehighExt [at] psu [dot] edu
Web site: http://lehigh.extension.psu.edu/ (or http://www.extension.psu.edu/ for the Extention's Home page)

In addition, there are many good plant care books available at your local library and in bookstores. Particular favorites with our design staff are:

* The Well-Tended Perennial Garden: Planting and Pruning Techniques by Tracy DiSabato-Aust (Timber Press, 1998)
* Dirr's Hardy Trees and Shrubs: An Illustrated Encyclopedia by Michael Dirr (Timber Press, 1997)
* The Plants of Pennsylvania: An Illustrated Manual by Ann Fowler Rhodes & Timothy A. Block (University of Pennsylvania Press, 2000)

Of course, there are also many wonderful Web sites you can use as reference tools. Besides the county extension office site listed above, you may want to check out these Internet resources:

* National Gardening Association Plant Care Guides The NGA's consumer-friendly guide to care for over 100 of the most popular plants used in landscaping and gardening today. Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder This easy-to-use database service, courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden's Kemper Center for Home Gardening, contains detailed information on over 3,500 perennials, shrubs, vines and trees. The National Arbor Day Foundation, just about everything you ever wanted to know about trees can be found on this site, including guidelines for care, identification and selection. There are pages just for kids, too.

...And be sure to check out our links page for more great Web sites!

Q: What if I'm not satisfied with a particular part of my newly installed landscaping?

A: Plantique strives to meet your every landscaping expectation, as our aim is complete customer satisfaction. If you are not happy with some aspect of your finished landscape project, please contact your project manager so that we can rectify the situation. He will coordinate any changes with his supervisor. Should you need assistance in regards to a warranty issue, please contact our customer service representative at 610-395-6940, or e-mail us.

Q:What is the warranty period for plants and construction?

A: All new trees, perennials, ground covers and shrubs are guaranteed for one year, as are all construction materials and workmanship. If the original plant used in your landscape design is no longer available, a suitable alternative will be selected. Plantique does not guarantee transplanted materials, annual flowers, seeding or sod. Cash refunds are not allowed. Please see your contract for further details and restrictions that may apply.

If you have any further questions, please contact our customer service representative at 610-395-6940, or click here to e-mail us. Please refer to your contract for information regarding the guarantee on your plants, trees and shrubs.