GENERAL LANDSCAPE NOTES

Tree Trimming – Dormant period is best for major thinning or crown reductions. (December, January and February). For overall maintenance pruning that must be done during the growing season, never remove more than 25% of the foliage and always make proper cuts (no stub cuts, no flush cuts, minimal use of heading cuts, proper crown reduction cuts and no ripped bark). Use the proper tool for the size of cut you need to make. If you are not sure how to make good cuts, consult with someone who does. The first rule of pruning is that you do no harm to the tree. Making proper cuts and thinning such that the remaining foliage is uniformly distributed throughout the tree is more important than the date you choose to do the work. However, still try to do the major pruning in the dormant season for best results.

Grass Fertilization – In the fall, apply a high phosphorus starter fertilizer immediately following germination of winter Rye Grass. Heavy watering will necessitate additional fertilizer about the time of the first mowing but you should have backed off the watering frequency way before the first mowing.  Use a part quick/part slow release fertilizer like 21-7-14 for follow-up and repeat every six weeks as needed throughout the season or sooner if yellowing starts. Try not to over-water to conserve fertilizer and water. Make your last winter fertilizer application in February. You can resume fertilization in May when the Bermuda begins growing again and continue every six weeks through August. 

Fertilize shrubs – Once in the spring will do unless plant color and vigor indicate additional nutrients are needed. Use a balanced fertilizer, one that has a formulation containing all the major nutrients.

Fertilize fruit trees – In this area we are talking primarily about citrus. Feed your trees with a fertilizer specifically formulated for citrus and apply in early spring, mid-summer and end of summer.

Fertilize Palms – Date Palms and Fan Palms usually do not need regular fertilization. Queen Palms will need to be fed about every 45 days throughout the growing season. Palms require special micro-nutrient fertilizer formulations. Liquid formulations are available at nurseries. Palm fertilizer spikes are helpful if placed where they can be dissolved by irrigation. If you use a granular fertilizer, cultivate the area around the palm lightly to incorporate the fertilizer into the soil and then water it in deeply. Don’t apply the fertilizer up close to the trunk.

General Fertilizer Note: Always follow the label directions. Excessive application can be toxic to the plants.

Thinning trees prior to monsoons - Most of our trees blow over because of poor root development as opposed to crown growth. Consult with a tree care professional or arborist about establishing good root systems. Yes, thinning will probably be necessary in most cases, especially if the foliage is dense and located higher up in the tree. Remember from the note above that the foliage should be distributed evenly throughout the tree. This means horizontally, vertically, inside and out. Trees that are raised too high without proper thinning are the first to blow over. If you make a practice of doing your major thinning in December, you will be that much farther ahead coming into monsoon season.

When to cut back shrubs – Rejuvenate your shrubs by hard pruning them in early spring after the last frost is over. This will control the height, encourage flowering and you will only need to do a little touch-up pruning during the summer.

When to trim Palms – Trim your palms after hey have flowered. This usually means June and July. Once the flower stalks have emerged from the Fan Palms try to trim them before the flowers open up and create a mess. If you trim too early, you will be back again to take care of the late emerging flower stalks. With the Date Palms, you need to trim them before the Dates get mature and heavy. Always use the following standard to determine how many fronds to trim off. (ANSI A300 Pruning Standard)

“Live healthy fronds, initiating at an angle of 45 degrees or greater from horizontal, with frond tips at or below horizontal, should not be removed.”

Taking care of plants before a freeze – Know the hardiness of your plants and be alert to frost warnings. Keep frost cloth available in preparation. Do not cover plants with plastic.

Taking care of frozen plants – Leave the plant alone until after the last freeze and temperature encourage new growth. Prune the dead wood off by making cuts into wood you know is healthy and green. You won’t know where this is until spring so be patient.