BLog

Your plants are installed and looking beautiful, but now it’s your turn to help them thrive! To ensure your landscape stays healthy, we’ve put together some essential care instructions.

Watering: First 2 Weeks

For the first two weeks, regular watering is crucial to help your new plants establish strong roots. Newly installed plants can experience stress in their new environment, and watering is the best way to help them adjust.

• Water in the morning for best results (before 10AM).
• Check soil moisture daily by hand—soil should feel moist but not soggy.
• If the soil is dry, water thoroughly at the base of the plant. Use a hose by hand:
  • Perennials: 10–15 seconds each.
  • Shrubs & Trees: 30 seconds to 1 minute each.
• New Sod: Use a sprinkler for even watering:
  • Week 1: Run the sprinkler twice daily for 1 hour (morning & afternoon).
  • Week 2: Reduce to once daily for up to 2 hours (morning).
  • After the first two weeks, water as needed based on weather conditions.

Additional Tips:

• If your plants or sod are on a slope, they may require extra watering due to runoff.
• If you have an irrigation system, still check soil moisture regularly—systems tend to be for sod and don’t run water deep enough for perennials, shrubs, and trees.

Watering: After the First 2 Weeks

Continue watering as needed throughout the first growing season. Generally 1 inch per week is recommended to keep perennials thriving, this can come from rain or you – just keep an eye on the forecast! Drought-tolerant and native perennials require little to no supplemental water after the first growing season.

Plants may require extra water if they show signs of stress, such as:

• Yellowing or browning leaves
• Wilting foliage
• Leaf drop

Hot summer days or drought conditions can increase water needs.

Preventing Damage from Wildlife

Wildlife can pose a challenge year-round, particularly for young plants or during winter and early spring when food is scarce.

To protect your landscape:

• Use granular or spray repellents as deterrents.
• Install rabbit-proof fencing (such as chicken wire), ensuring it’s securely fastened to the ground with sod staples or slightly buried—rabbits are excellent burrowers!

Note: Any damage caused by animals voids your plant warranty.

Preventing Winter Burn

Many evergreens are susceptible to winter-burn, a condition where foliage dries out due to winter exposure. To prevent this:

• Water once or twice a week from October through November, only when the soil is dry.
• Water at the base of the plant for about one minute per plant.
• Continue watering through November, even as temperatures drop. The ground won’t freeze until temperatures consistently stay below freezing.

Note: Insufficient winter watering voids your plant warranty.

Preventing Snow & Salt Damage

Minnesota winters can be tough on landscapes! When clearing snow, be mindful of where it gets piled, especially if mixed with salt.

• Avoid piling salted snow onto landscaped areas.
• Choose an un-landscaped space or an area with minimal plantings for snow storage.
• If needed, spread out snow to minimize damage.