Landscape Installation Flashcards
When is the best time of year to plant woody ornamentals? Why?
In the fall.
Describe the handling procedures for transporting plants from the nursery to the job site.
Wrap plants or lay them down with tops toward the back in a truck to avoid heavy wind damage.
What are some possible solutions to poorly-drained soils?
Raised beds, redirect water, Add French Drains, Bring in new soil.
Discuss soil amendments and how they are used in planting.
Dolomitic Lime to Raise PH, thus decreasing acidity.
Sulfur or Ammonium sulphate to lower PH or increase acidity.
Review the step-by-step procedure for proper planting.
Dig a wide planting hole two times wider than the root ball of the plant.
Remove wire or cord.
Place 1-2 inches above ground unless expected freezes.
backfill with same soil removed from hole after breaking up clods.
Add stakes or guy wires.
Describe various support structures for trees and shrubs. What is the purpose of staking, and how long should the supports remain in place?
Avoid driving steaks into the root ball. Place them along the rootball before burial.
Place wires through old hose and above the lowest scaffold branches. Allow to move slightly with breezes to promote triggering of root system.
Keep in place 8-10 weeks after planting in the spring or by mid-spring for fall planted trees.
Water immediatley deep and slow. Water rings are not recommended because it discourages outward growth.
What types of fertilizers can be used in the planting hole? Are fertilizers essential at planting time?
Woody ornamental do not need it initially, they use root reserves, but you can mix slow release fertilizer in the surrounding soil like Osmocote.
Annuals and perennial flowers have more need for fertilizer. Liquid fertilizers can be added during growing season.
List some benefits of mulches. What types of mulch are best, and how are they applied?
Keeps moisture in the soil, insulates the roots of plants from extreme head and winter freezes and provides barrier to weed growth. Organic is best and non-matting. Bark, pine straw, mini-nuggets, wood chips. In South Georgia you can use pecan hulls.
Describe the procedure for installing seasonal color displays.
bring in well draining soil 4-6 inchees above anything existing to ensure draininage. Use mulch and slow release fertilizer. Fertilizer immediately with first watering.
How do you raise pH levels?
Add Dolomitic Lime
How do you lower pH levels?
Add Sulfur or Ammonium Sulphate
What is the ideal pH range for horticultural plants?
5.2 to 6.5, which is on the acidic side of 7.
Why don’t you used uncomposted bark
It can use nitrogen in the soil to break down the carbon.
How much organic matter does it take to make difference?
1%, or 500 lbs per 1,000 sf. Incorporating less is heardly worth the time and money.
