Tips for Pruning and Planting

Welcome to the spring planting season! I know that the groundhog predicted 6 more weeks of winter, but in Arizona that’s about as important as “Daylight Savings”. The weather is still on the mild side, and there may be a few more evenings that you’ll need to cover up your shrubs and trees, but if you want those trees and plants to last through our burning summer, you’ll need to prepare them now.

Pruning Trees and Shrubs

Pruning is the strategic removal of branches and limbs. If your trees get too top-heavy they can overgrow their root support and they may topple over in a monsoon, this is especially common with mesquite trees. Limbs left too long may get die, becoming hazardous if they fall and the larger the limb, the more damage it can cause to people and property. Trees and bushes start to look more like rats nests with this type of debris gathering inside dead limbs, attracting bugs, rodents, and birds. The damage to the plant just compounds itself and the clear solution is to cut the deadwood, clean out the leaves and remove other upstart branches that will compete for sunlight over the summer.

Planting Trees and Shrubs

Now that the ground is warming up, it’s a perfect time to plant new trees, shrubs, and flowers. Because the weather is still cool, groundwater won’t be stolen from your landscaping by evaporation and your new plants will have enough time to take root before the summer heat kicks in.

Now is also a good time to get some pre-emergent weed killer down and watered into your soil, then towards the end of the month, start fertilizing your lawn in preparation for next month’s bermudagrass.

Keeping ahead of your yard can be difficult, we can help “Keep it Green.” Our passion is more than just growing – It’s keeping your landscape investment healthy for years to come.

Give us a call!

Image Source: pixabay.com/en/pruning-shears-autumn-garden-535350/