The following recommendations, when observed, should result in the survival of all plant materials installed:

MARCH, APRIL, MAY – Water only when the soil appears dry on the surface and is dry three to four inches deep.  If you have an automatic sprinkling system, it will be applying some water to the trees in the lawn area. Therefore, these trees may only need to be thoroughly soaked by hand once per week or once per two weeks, depending on the soil type and if the weather is rainy versus hot, dry, and windy. When the shrubs in the planting beds have sprinkler systems it applies water less frequently than the lawn sprinklers applies water to the lawn. The plants in these planting beds should be watered twice each week during the cooler months, and three times per week during the warmer months. All newly planted trees: Apply Fertilome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench at the base of tree; water in thoroughly. A 2 inch caliper tree requires 6 ½ oz. of product to protect against borers and other insects. Repeat each March for 5 years.

APRIL, MAY – All newly planted trees:  Apply Fertilome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench at base of tree and water in thoroughly. A 2 inch caliper tree requires 6 ½ oz. of product to protect against borers, pine tip moth, scale and other insects.

JUNE, JULY, AUGUST – Continue as above with watering and borer spraying and increase the frequency of watering in the shrub beds if there is a lack of rainfall. Lawn planted trees should be watered by hand once per week if the soil type is a heavy clay and appears to be dry three to four inches deep. In a soil type that drains better, the soil will dry out to the three to four inch depth sooner, therefore, watering may be required more often (possibly two to three times per week). The only sure way to water properly is to dig into the soil and physically check the moisture three to four inches deep.

SEPTEMBER, OCTOBER, NOVEMBER – Continue watering as necessary. This may be only once per week for all plants.  Water once every week in November & once every 2 weeks in December. Fertilize all plants with Fertilome Tree & Shrub Food…Fall & Spring.

ALL NEWLY PLANTED TREES:  Apply Fertilome Tree & Shrub Systemic Insect Drench at base of tree & water in thoroughly. A 2 inch caliper tree requires 6 ½ oz, 3 inch- 9 ½ oz. of product to protect against borers, pine tip moth, scale & other insects. Repeat every Spring or Fall for 5 years.  Wrap all tree trunks with paper tree wrap from ground up to the first set of limbs. This will protect the trunk from the winter sun which can cause sun scald or frost cracks.

DECEMBER, JANUARY, FEBRUARY – Newly planted trees & shrubs need water during the winter. Water trees & shrubs if the soil is not frozen, above 40 degrees, and when the soil appears dry on the surface and is dry three to four inches deep. If there is a lack of rainfall or snow during this period, the maximum frequency should be a thorough soaking once every 3 weeks.