Plant Health Care Companion Guide

What to expect for your 2nd plant health care visit in the spring

Spring is finally here!  Warm sun and singing birds now replace snow shovels and rock salt.  Trees and shrubs will awaken from dormancy and require some specific needs.  We’ll outline what to expect and what is covered during this visit.

A technician will begin with an inspection of your property to identify any sensitive areas such as gardens, pools, ponds, pet toys/bowls and kid’s toys.  Proper care around these areas will be a priority.

The inspection will then transition to the trees and shrubs.  The technician will be looking for a few specific things.  Trees and shrubs should be loaded with profuse buds ready to explode into this year’s new flowers and leaves.  The buds should also be present at the tips of all branches, a lack of these buds (terminal buds) is sometimes an indicator of a larger issue usually vascular system related.

          (PLEASE REMEMBER TO REFRAIN FROM ANY HEAVY PRUNING IN THE SPRING.  THIS WILL REMOVE THIS SEASON’S BUDS).

Another important factor the technician will be scouting for is the presence of any beneficial insects or beneficial insect nests.  Protection of our friends if discovered will be paramount.

Plant Nutrition

Trees and shrubs manufacture their own food through the process of photosynthesis.  Fertilizing is a term of art that is used to describe the process of adding minerals and compounds that provide the soil with the necessary nutrients for plants to live and thrive.  Plants are only as good as the soil in which they grow . . . Pennsylvania soil can be very inconsistent with plant needs.  This is even more true in newly constructed homes that have had valuable topsoil removed during grading.  Synthetic fertilizers containing high amounts of nitrogen are nothing more than a growth stimulant and not resembling anything in nature.  Under no circumstance will New Castle Lawn & Landscape compromise long term plant health for short term visual appeals.  SOIL FIRST will always be our approach.

A combination of granular and liquid nutrition will be applied to the root zone and/or the foliage of trees and shrubs covered under the program.  Our nutrition blend provides the specific needs of acid loving plants such as Azaleas, Carmelia, Rhododendron, Dogwoods, Lilacs and Boxwoods.  Nutrition is applied to the plants based on height or size . . . more is never better!  Our liquid nutrition blend includes Macronutrients, Micronutrients, Amino Acids and organic based soil amendments formulated from sea based nutrient sources.

These sources include Kelp Meal and Fish Meal.  Their uses can be traced back to ancient times.  Both organic sources provide concentrated amounts of vitamins, minerals, including potassium which has proven to provide stress/disease resistance.  Stronger root systems allow for drought fighting capabilities, larger more profuse leaves will ensure not only proper photosynthesis but the transporting of water and minerals throughout the plants . . . all of which is amplified by these organic sources.  The slow release properties of this program makes it a pillar of all plant health care and soil building programs.

Fungicides

Fungicides are not a forcefield that will eliminate all disease development.  It is applied to mitigate and minimize infections that normally occur during the spring/summer humidity and water fluctuations.

During the first visit, the technician will have noted key plants that would require fungicide attention.  Fungicide applications should coincide with “bud swell” or “bud break” or “leaf expansion” of the plant.  Fungicides can be applied year round if label or conditions permit, but the inoculation of plants prior to leaf development provide the most protection.  Many treatment options are limited once the disease has manifested itself.  Evergreens, on the other hand, usually require a ½” of new growth before a fungicide is applied.  Most deciduous plants can withstand a fair amount of foliar disease before the health is adversely affected.  It’s getting through the spring when tender young growth is most susceptible.

PLEASE REMEMBER AVOID OVERHEAD WATERING OF PLANTS IF POSSIBLE . . . ESPECIALLY IF YOU WATER BEFORE SUNSET IN THE EVENINGS.  WET LEAVES COMBINED WITH THE SLIGHTEST AMOUNT OF HUMIDITY IS THE CATALYST FOR MOST DISEASE DEVELOPMENT.  SCHEDULE WATERING SO PLANTS NAD SOIL CAN DRY PRIOR TO NIGHT TIME.

Insecticides/Miticides

As the days get progressively warmer in the spring, plant pests will start their lifecycle which includes feeding on trees and shrubs for energy to complete their metamorphosis.  It would be during this time that the possibility of insecticide or miticides may be considered . . . only if the imbalance of insects is too great to be corrected naturally.  Plants like Dwarf Alberta Spruce and Junipers that are sensitive to horticultural oil and not targeted during the 1^st visit may have a miticide applied to get ahead of the Two Spotted Spider Mite that has several generations.  Aphids, Tent Caterpillars and Leafminer, Thrips and some Scales (crawler stage) are the key pests technicians deal with during the early spring.  Under no circumstance will an insecticide be applied as a blanket spray as a tactic.  This is irresponsible, against label directions and inconsistent with any Plant Health Care Program that employs an IPM approach to plant care.

Wrapping up our visit

All gates will be checked to ensure they were closed if we assessed the backyard.  If the technician has discovered deer or rabbit feeding, a discretionary amount of repellent will be applied at no additional cost.  Larger problems may require the homeowner to supplement treatments in between visits, or consider additional remediation proposals if necessary.  Upon completion of the service, the technician will record your visit electronically.  The records will include what was done (or not done if applicable), recommendations, and any important notes you should be aware of.  This will be sent as an e-mail for your review.