A Beginner’s Guide to Shrub Maintenance
Whether you’re planning to plant shrubs or you already have some in your garden, knowing the right way to maintain them is essential. Shrubs provide a lot of benefits, which include releasing oxygen, adding colour and structure to the garden, and giving a cosy feeling and privacy.
If it’s your first time being around scrubs or a garden, you can be overwhelmed by the amount of work to maintain them. Although it’s always possible to hire an arborist to do the work for you, you should also try being in charge of the maintenance, especially for the daily or weekly practises.
In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of shrub maintenance to keep your shrubs healthy.
1. Importance of Shrub Maintenance
Although it’s great to see shrubs with a good appearance, it’s just a part of the effects of well-maintained shrubs. Regular shrub maintenance encourages healthy growth, keeps plants disease-free, and allows them to utilise their maximum potential when it comes to flowering.
The first thing you should do when taking care of shrubs is to identify the types you have. Commonly, there are two types including low maintenance and high maintenance.
2. Basic Tools You’ll Need
Taking care of shrubs requires various tools, just like plants and trees. Some of the most common tools you should use when maintaining shrubs include hand pruners, hedge shears, loppers, gloves, and leaf blowers or rakes.
Meanwhile, it’s not enough that you have these tools. It’s great when they’re new since they can be sharp and clean. However, once you have been using them for quite some time, they start to get dull and dirty. So, as a part of the shrub maintenance practises, you should always ensure that the tools are sharp and clean.
3. Pruning Tips
Proper pruning is one of the most essential parts of shrub maintenance. At first, asking an arborist for help can be a great option, but you should also know how to do it yourself. Besides, there are emergency cases when you can’t call an arborist, and you have to do it yourself. But when planning to do so, ensure that you have sufficient knowledge and the right tools to avoid harming the shrubs.
When to Prune:
Pruning time varies from one shrub to another. So, you must know the blooming pattern of your shrubs. For instance, for those that bloom in the summer, it’s ideal to prune them in early spring or late winter; the spring bloomers should be pruned after they flower, and evergreens should be pruned early in spring or late winter.
How to Prune:
For starters, remove the weak branches or those that are affected by pests or diseases. This prevents further damage and infestation. In addition, lessen the crowded areas to help with the airflow, and ensure that every cut is clean so that they can bud again and prevent infections.
4. Watering and Feeding
Just like any other trees and plants, shrubs also need water and fertiliser. Usually, the amount and frequency they need depends on various factors, such as age, species, and weather. Here are some tips you should try:
Watering Tips:
For young shrubs, it’s best to control the amount of water you give them. On the other hand, the established one can take about an inch of water per week. It’s deep enough since you’ll rarely be watering them, but this method encourages them to have deeper roots.
Fertilising:
When it comes to fertiliser, avoid applying a huge amount, especially if it’s the first time. Instead, add a small, balanced amount and gradually increase the dose depending on the needs of the shrubs.
5. Mulching
Mulch controls a lot of things, such as temperature, moisture, and weeds, which is why it’s a must when maintaining your shrubs. However, when adding mulch, you should ensure that there’s a gap around the base of the shrubs to avoid the formation of pests. The layer should be around 2 to 3 inches, and you should use the right mulch (such as shredded bark or wood chips).
6. Preventing Pests
Pests, such as caterpillars and spider mites, are commonly seen in a garden. However, if you neglect them, it may result in a bigger problem. So, once you notice some of these insects visiting your garden or shrubs, immediately add insecticidal soaps or neem oil. These products can prevent them from coming back and thriving.
Final Thoughts
Taking care of shrubs and other trees and plants in your garden can be a daunting task. However, they can also be rewarding, especially once they all bloom. By understanding and considering this guide, you won’t have to face problems in the future.
Are you starting to take care of shrubs in your garden? Let us know how they are looking so far by commenting below!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aliana Baraquio is a web content writer working for Sydney Tree Solutions, a company that provides tree removal and arborist services throughout Sydney. As a writer, she is passionate about providing good quality articles that help readers make the right choice.