New Landscape Care & Maintenance Guide

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INTRODUCTION

This booklet is provided free of charge by J & S Landscaping and contains year-round landscape care and maintenance information to help homeowners protect their investment.

 

All recommendations contained in this booklet are basic procedures pertaining to the care of your landscape and irrigation system. Followed correctly, you should see positive results regarding newly sodded or seeded lawn areas, plant life and other landscape related questions. Even though these may be proven techniques that you can benefit from, we cannot guarantee results. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact J & S Landscaping by calling (248) 366-7980 or online at www.248Landscape.com

 

 

NEWLY SODDED AREAS:

 

Immediately Following Sodding

1. New sod should be watered twice daily for the first three weeks. The sod should be kept damp. Even if these areas are covered by your sprinkler system, your judgment will need to be used.
2. All traffic across new sod should be kept to a minimum, as it separates seams and disturbs the underlying grade. Damages to sod should promptly be repaired.

 

First Mowing

1. The first mowing can usually occur between the 3rd and 4th weeks of the installation, or when sod reaches a height of 4” to 4-1/2” tall and has rooted to the soil below.
2. Adjust mower height to approximately 3” and be certain that the blades are sharp.
3. Do not water the day before mowing, as it will mat the new sod.
4. Repeat mowing procedures approximately once a week during the growing season. Do not remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade per mowing.

 

Weeding / Fertilization

1. After two months of fully established lawn, start on a regular fertilizing program. In later years, a pre-emergent should be used in early spring to keep the weeds to a minimum. After approximately two years, you may find it necessary to use a broadleaf herbicide to help control encroaching weeds.
2. At approximately six (6) week intervals, from April through October, fertilize your lawn with a well-balanced (16-8-8) fertilizer at the recommended rate. It is best to fertilize in two directions at the ½ recommended rates to assure proper coverage and overlap. Remember, more frequent, light applications will give better color than less frequent, heavy applications.

 

General Notes

1. Once established, a new lawn will perform better when watered heavily a fewer number of times, rather than lightly, a greater number of times. This promotes deeper root growth and a healthier stand of grass.
2. As your lawn gets older, you will need to aerate it in order to facilitate air movement, as well as fertilizer and water intake. We recommend aerating your lawn at least once per year. Depending on the traffic your lawn is receiving, aeration may be needed as soon as the second year, and as often as two times per year.

 

 

 

Newly Seeded Lawns:

 

Immediately Following Seeding

1. Keep seedbed evenly moist at all times until most of the seed has germinated (approximately 30 days, depending on the type of seed). Over-watering will cause erosion and drowning; drying between watering can cause seedlings to die.
2. Once the new lawn is in, reduce the watering slightly. Do not allow the seedbed to become excessively dry, as it will stress the new seedlings.
3. Do not apply herbicides to the new lawn, as these will burn the new seedlings. (See “Weeding / Fertilizing on this page)

 

First Lawn Cutting

1. The first mowing can usually occur between 3 and 4 weeks after the seeding has taken place. Mow in alternating directions without catching clippings, unless there is an abundance of flowering weeds.
2. After the first several mowing, you can begin to catch the clippings if you choose. Mow approximately once a week during the growing season, at a height of about 2-1/2” –3”.

 

Weeding \ Fertilization

1. After the grass plants have two leaves, you may want to apply a light application of a high phosphate fertilizer. If you start to see yellowing of the seedlings, this also indicates it is time to fertilize.
2. After the first several mowings, the lawn is ready for an application of “weed and feed”. Be careful not to apply too much, as this will burn the young lawn. A liquid spray application of broadleaf herbicide can also be used (it will be more effective on weeds). Be sure to follow the directions on the label, carefully.
3. At approximately six-week intervals fertilize your lawn with a well-balanced (16-8-8) fertilizer, at the recommended rate. It is best to fertilize in two directions at ½ the recommended rate, to assure proper coverage and overlap.
4. If weeds persist, mow them before they flower, making sure to catch all clippings. Also make several follow-up herbicide applications; spot spraying will probably be more effective and more efficient.

 

General Notes

1. Do not be alarmed if weeds should appear in your new lawn, as this is perfectly normal. These weeds have come from seeds found in your soil or have been blown in.
2. Once established, a new lawn will perform better when watered heavily a fewer number of times, than lightly, a greater number of times. This promotes deeper root growth and a healthier stand of grass
3. Never remove more than 1/3 of the grass blade when mowing.
4. It will take approximately one year for your lawn to fill into a turf area. Tender loving care can speed this process along.
5. Fill in spots that have eroded from watering or rain. Remove any rocks or debris exposed by water erosion.
6. Do not water the day before any mowing.

 

 

 

Plant Material:

 

Pruning and Trimming

1. In general, prune or trim shrubs and trees just after their flowering period, only as necessary. Remove any dead or dying branches.
2. Make all cuts clean.
3. Minor pruning may be necessary for the first two to three years. Beyond the two-to-three years, pruning will be required twice per season.

 

Watering

1. Over watering is the major cause of problems in plant material, and is much more difficult to correct than under-watering. Grass plants and trees all benefit from occasional deep heavy watering. Normal rains, along with irrigation, will achieve this. In drought situations, irrigation alone will sustain plant material, but the material may not flourish.
2. Check soil moisture as often as possible to determine watering needs of the plant. The soil should be moist, not wet.

 

Fertilizing

1. All plant material should be fertilized each spring with a well-balanced fertilizer.
2. All plant material should be treated with chealated iron, approximately twice per growing season. This keeps the leaves from yellowing.
3. Insect problems should be corrected with insecticides as they are encountered. Weekly inspections should keep these in check; however, if insects are a problem, call for the proper treatment.
4. Chewing insects (i.e., grasshoppers, caterpillars, etc.) can cause major damage quickly, so this must be taken care of as soon as possible. Weekly treatments may be necessary.

 

Staking

1. Remove stakes and roping after the second full season of growing.

 

Perennial Flowers

1. Perennials must be fertilized in order to perform well. An all purpose liquid fertilizer, once every two weeks, works well.
2. After perennials flower, the seed heads should be removed to promote plant growth instead of seed production.
3. Perennials should be cut back to the ground in late fall or early spring.
4. After several years, some perennials may need to be thinned or divided. A reduction in flower production is generally a good indicator that this needs to take place.

 

General Notes

1. DO NOT ignore your plant material. It has very specific needs that, if provided for, will keep it looking great for many years.
2. Follow all container directions carefully, when fertilizing or treating for insects. Remember, “More is not always better”.

 

 

 

Hardwood Mulch & Wood Chips:

Your beds now have a fresh layer of hardwood mulch or wood chips on them. This mulch will move from the winds, rain and decay and thus, will need to be replenished yearly. This mulch is very important in keeping weed growth down, and maintaining optimum moisture around the plants, and also works as a fertilizer. Seasonal appearance of a yellow-orange mold on the mulch will not hurt plants unless it happens to cover, and smother something small. Just let it dry and rake it away.

 

 

 

Stones, Gravel & Lava Rock:

As thoroughly as possible, remove organic material (dead leaves, grass clippings, etc.) from the rock mulch area. This will reduce possible weed growth. A hand held blower is the best means to accomplish this.

 

 

 

Steel Landscape Edging:

Occasionally, frost may force edging to heave from the ground. If this should occur, the edging should be pounded back into the soil. We recommend using a block of wood on the top edge to prevent denting and damaging the edging.

 

 

 

Low Voltage Landscape Lighting:

We recommend monthly inspections of your lighting system. You should check your timer insure that the time is correct and the operating are appropriate for that season. Each light should also be checked to be sure that no bulbs are burned out. A burned out bulb must be replaced right away. The other bulbs on that circuit, will receive more power, and will shorten the life of the other bulbs.

 

 

 

Monthly Landscape Checklist:

 

January

1. Prune dead wood from trees and shrubs (except maples, birches, walnuts, and oak trees in the summer)

 

February

1. Spray with dormant oil

 

March

1. Apply borer spray, if you have a borer problem.
2. Apply herbicide to landscape beds to prevent weed growth.

 

April

1. Prune roses to live wood.
2. Begin mowing the lawn as weather allows.
3. Apply crabgrass preventative to the lawn.
4. Apply herbicide to the lawn to prevent dandelions.
5. Fertilize lawn
6. Activate sprinkler system, weather permitting.
7. Pull weeds that may have germinated.
8. Cut back perennials to the ground.

 

May

1. Install annual plants/flowers.
2. Fertilize trees, shrubs and perennials.
3. Spray apples, crabs, pears, mountain ash, and pyracantha to prevent fire blight.
4. Feed roses.
5. Re-mulch beds.
6. Inspect sprinkler system operation/adjust timing as needed.
7. Pull weeds that may have germinated.

 

June

1. Fertilize lawn.
2. Check all tress and shrubs for insect pests.
3. Continue mowing operations
4. Feed roses.
5. Inspect sprinkler system operation/adjust timing as needed.
6. Apply herbicide to landscape beds to prevent weed growth.
7. Pull weeds that may have germinated.

 

July

1. Check for fungi (white powdery substance on grass, typically in shady or damp areas).
2. Fertilize lawn.
3. Prune shrubs after flowering.
4. Continue mowing operations.
5. Head back annuals.
6. Perform maintenance on perennials.
7. Inspect sprinkler system operations/adjust timing as needed.
8. Pull weeds that may have germinated.

 

August

1. Continue mowing operations.
2. Head back annuals.
3. Perform maintenance on perennials.
4. Inspect sprinkler system operation/adjust timing as needed.
5. Pull weeds that may have germinated.
6. Apply herbicide to landscape beds to prevent weed growth.

 

September

1. Continue mowing operations.
2. Fertilize lawn.
3. Head back annuals.
4. Perform maintenance on perennials.
5. Reduce watering times on sprinkler system.
6. Prune shrubs and trees for the second time.
7. Call to schedule winterization of your sprinkler system.

 

October

1. Clean off tops of dried perennials.
2. Plant fall bulbs
3. Adjust staking of new trees.
4. Head back annuals.
5. Perform maintenance on perennials.
6. Winterize sprinkler system.
7. Make sure your snow blower is ready for winter.

 

November

1. Fall clean up
2. Mulch roses and tender perennials.
3. Burlap trees for winter. Tender plants must be protected from harsh winter conditions with burlap, or a similar product.
4. Remove annuals and cut back perennials as desired.
5. Mark driveway for snow plowing.

 

December

1. Begin snow removal.

 

 

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