July 01, 2003
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Nursery School July 2003 FAQ's
San Diego, California. - Nursery School More answers to the questions most frequently asked at nurseries.
Q. I have a lot of plants in my landscape. How can I remember how often to fertilize them?
A. Like plants, fertilizers come in a variety of choices to fulfill diverse needs: natural and chemical, complete and incomplete, liquid and solid. Annuals, perennials, ground covers, trees, shrubs, and lawns each have unique needs. Your best bet is to do a little research, taking into consideration the types of plants in your yard and their condition. However, if you don’t want the hassle, pick a complete fertilizer (one containing nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, or N-P-K) and apply every 6 – 8 weeks.
Q. I don’t particularly care for the color of my hydrangeas. What can I do about it?
A. Try adding aluminum sulfate or superphosphate to soil. Some hydrangea varieties are influenced by the amount of pH in the soil. More acidic soil results in blue blooms, so add aluminum sulfate. For red or pink blooms, make the soil more alkaline with superphosphate.
Q. How often should I fertilize my citrus?
A. Well-drained soil is a must for a successful citric tree, and the soil also determines how often you fertilize. So if the soil is fast draining (as it should be) then fertilize 3-4 times during growing season.
Q. I want to plant ground cover on a steep slope. How do I go about it?
A. Erosion control is the issue when planting on a steep slope. First, stagger the planting line. Not only does it look good, you’ll avoid creating conveniently straight, even channels for water run down. Next, create a tiny terrace for each plant to grow on, with a shallow basin on the rising slope side to catch water as it runs down hill.
Q. What can I spray to kill weeds in ground cover?
A. Unfortunately, many ground covers won’t tolerate such a direct assault. So don’t spray anything on it to kill weeds. Instead, use a pre-emergent to control weed growth.
Miramar Wholesale Nurseries is Southern California’s leading supplier of landscape plant material and supplies. MWN grows a wide variety of perennials, shrubs, and trees at each of its three locations for projects in and around the region. The fully stocked will-call facilities in San Diego, Irvine/Lake Forest, and San Juan Capistrano serve the needs of commercial properties, institutions, property managers, and commercial landscapers. For additional tips on plant care, see your nursery professional or refer to the Sunset Western Garden Book, available at all three MWN locations.
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