Answers to Frequently Asked Questions About Basic Plant Care...

Thank you for purchasing plants from Shadowood! Please know that plants are perishable, living things. If you do not care for them properly, they will die.
Listed below are some helpful hints to help your new things grow!

WATER:
Water is the most crucial element of successful gardening. Even plants that are sometimes referred to as “Xeric”, need water to get established.

For “In Ground” Plantings: WATER EVERY PLANT DAILY for the first 2 weeks if we do not get at least 1/2 inch of rain per day, the best way to judge how much water to give is to allow your garden hose to run on each plant for at least 10 seconds by counting “one, one thousand, two one thousand…”. During weeks 3 & 4, you should water every other day. During weeks 5 & 6, you should water every third day. Beyond the sixth week, the weather conditions will need to be your guide. If we are not having rain, you will still need to water a couple of times a week.

For Patio Pots: Containerized Plants can often need more water than those planted in the ground. Exact watering amounts depend on the size of pot, the amount of space allowed for future root growth and the soil used in potting. Unlike in ground plants, the longer the plants are in the pots the MORE water they need.

Irrigation Systems: Our Florida climate demands an adequate irrigation system or a homeowner that is willing to spend a great deal of time watering in the dry months. Irrigation Systems should be checked monthly to make certain that they are in good working order and covering 100% of the areas you wish to water. Just because you have an irrigation system DOES NOT mean that your plants are getting enough water.

FERTILIZER:
Most of the soil in the developed areas of Martin County are sand based and have virtually no nutrients. Fertilization is a MUST for successful gardeners. If you don’t feed plants with a time released fertilizer on a quarterly basis, they will not establish well. Our experiences have taught us to use a fairly “even count” food on most everything other than Palms and Citrus. We use a 14-12-14, Time Released Southern Formula for all Trees, Shrubs, Perennials, Vines, Annuals & Wildflowers.

PRUNING:
IF IT MAKES NOISE, YOUR PLANTS WON’T LIKE IT!!!!

All plants need a little “haircut” now and then. Soft tissue Perennials such as the various Salvias we sell need to be trimmed on a fairly regular basis (monthly) to stay full and happy. Many of these can be used as “cut flowers” in the aftermath of pruning. Always cut back to a new leaf terminal with scissors or pruning shears.

Hardier, “woody” tissues such as shrubs should also ONLY BE HAND PRUNED. If you want a plant to stay full at the bottom, you need to prune enough off of the sides and tops to let light and air into the base of the plant. We recommend that hard pruning take place in early August so that plants are flushed with new growth by fall. Proper pruning techniques can often be an acquired talent that develop over time.

Please feel free to ask should you have further questions.

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