Knowing the habitat your plants are adapted to is critical to understanding your plant’s needs. If you don’t know, err on the side of less rather than more nutrients, and watch plants closely throughout the growing season for signs of deficiency.
Nutrient-deficient plants may develop yellow or discolored foliage. If this happens, simply add organic matter or a controlled-release type of complete fertilizer around the root zone, water in thoroughly, and watch for improvement.
Other factors may affect the availability or movement of nutrients through the soil. Plants in sandy soils may need more frequent fertilization than plants in loamy or clay soils. Soils that are alkaline (high pH) may bind essential nutrients and make them unavailable.
A soil test will provide this information and make recommendations for amending the soil. An alternative to soil amendment is to choose plants that are adapted to these conditions. Utah soils are often alkaline, and textures can range from rocky or sandy to silty loam or clay.
Fortunately, plants native to our region have adapted to these conditions, and you can choose from a variety of native plants to fill almost any microclimate in your landscape.
The key is to learn as much as you can about your yard and your plants. Paying attention to the needs of your landscape plants will make you a more successful gardener.
Periodically, you will need to control the growth of your landscape plants by pruning, pinching or deadheading, and dividing. These activities will maintain your plants’ health and appearance by removing dead or undesirable growth, and by stimulating, reinvigorating, or re-directing their growth.
Some locally adapted native plants may quickly grow out of their space when provided with the relatively abundant resources available in a managed landscape. An example is Gutierrezia sarothrae (Matchbrush). Withholding water or nutrients will keep growth of this species in check.
Pruning is a way to control growth on trees and shrubs. Many forms of pruning exist, and the kind of cut you make depends upon the desired result and the growth habit of the plant.
Thinning cuts are made by cutting a branch back to its point of origin. The point of origin could be another branch or the main trunk, or it could be near the ground. Thinning can be used to shape or direct growth, but most often it is used to reduce bulk and restore the natural structure of the plant.
A heading cut is more severe than a thinning cut, and removes part of a branch leaving a short stub above a bud. This type of cut stimulates a profusion of twiggy growth from a lateral bud just below the cut.
Sometimes it is mistakenly used when a thinning cut would have been a better choice. Overuse of heading cuts can ruin the natural shape of a tree or shrub.
Shearing is the most severe type of heading cut and involves cutting a plant’s outer foliage to create an even surface. Only certain trees and shrubs will benefit from this type of cut.
Shearing can be used to create a hedge or screen with closely spaced plants. Some woody plants can be treated like herbaceous perennials and sheared almost to the ground to control their growth or to restore them to a more natural shape. Most pruning should be done in late winter or early spring before spring growth begins.
For plants that flower on last year’s growth, prune after flowering. With only a few exceptions, most native conifers require no pruning. For example, junipers are highly valued for their natural shape. Junipers that have outgrown their space should be removed rather than pruned.
The bloom time of some annuals and herbaceous perennials can be extended by removing flowers as soon as they start to decline. This is called deadheading, and some plants can be stimulated to repeat bloom when you remove the spent flowers.
In the case of plants with a flower on a single stem, cut back the entire stem to avoid a gangly, headless stem. If you don’t deadhead plants that repeat bloom, the plant will set seed, signaling the end of flower production for the season.
Some herbaceous perennials can be sheared by one half to two thirds after they have gone dormant in the fall. This will remove unsightly stems and rejuvenate plants that have become gangly and have reduced flowering.
Consider delaying cleanup until late winter for plants that have persistent and attractive stems and seed heads. Plants like Gaillardia (blanketflower), Astilbe (false spiraea), and many native grasses can add structure, texture, and color to an otherwise drab fall/winter landscape.
Aeration Services CalgaryDivision is another way of rejuvenating herbaceous perennials that have become weakened by age or overgrowth. A sign that your plants need dividing is when flower production is reduced and the stems become thin and nonproductive.
Perennials are divided by digging up the plant, taking care to dig around, not through, the root system. Using a shovel, two pitchforks, or a sharp blade, pry the plant root system apart to separate into two or more separate plants.
Plant roots should be kept cool and moist during this process, and new plantlets should be installed and watered in soon after division. Most perennials need to be divided every three to five years.
The best way to fight insect or disease problems is to prevent them from happening in the first place. When a system called integrated pest management (IPM) is used, you will rarely need to spray chemical-based pesticides to control pests in your yard.
IPM emphasizes prevention and involves several strategies to control pests, including using landscape plants adapted to your climate, diversifying your planting choices, and maintaining optimal plant health by not over-fertilizing and over- or under-watering.
Also keep the landscape free of plant debris, and regularly inspect landscape plants for problems. When potential problems are found, contact your local Extension office for help in diagnosing and correcting the problem.
Landscapers work mostly outdoors in gardens, parks and communal areas to create visually appealing areas using plants, topography and water features. This profession is highly suitable for those who enjoy physical work and have a good eye for design and natural aesthetics. A career in this field requires you to have a wide range of abilities, in addition to training in certain building techniques and a good knowledge of horticulture. In this article, we answer the question 'What is a landscaper?', including the skills necessary to become a landscaper and the prospects for this role.
To answer 'What is a landscaper?', they're professionals who redesign and embellish the natural aspects of outdoor areas using their knowledge of spatial design, geography and horticulture. They introduce features such as flora, ponds, pathways, patios and terracing to create a space that delivers both a functional value and a visual appeal.
Businesses, private homes, golf courses and parkland developers who wish to develop and enhance their grounds regularly use landscapers. They can work for civil entities or private companies or be self-employed. Some landscaping contracts require teams to complete while smaller jobs, like maintenance and lawns, may involve working alone.
Opportunities exist for landscapers in a very diverse sector and they can apply their skills to a variety of rewarding roles. Different levels of expertise, knowledge and training could lead to you enjoying a career from a range of choices, such as:
The responsibilities of landscapers are diverse and varied. Large projects may involve conceptualisation, planning logistics and teamwork, while smaller jobs could entail plant cultivation and routine maintenance. Here are some typical tasks a landscaper might perform:
To become a landscaper, you don't need a specific academic qualification, nor is there any defined path to becoming an expert in the profession. Having a degree of physical strength and fitness, a good sense of creativity and spatial awareness is enough to get you started but other steps could help your landscaping career get underway. The following suggestions may help:
Although an academic qualification isn't necessary for the field, having a strong knowledge of maths, technical drawing and good writing abilities are certain to assist your landscaping ambitions. Other subjects, such as geography, science and art can also help your success as they provide a greater understanding of the natural world, the role of biology in horticulture, the role of physics in building, the role of chemistry in pesticides and how to make your designs aesthetically pleasing. Many employers favour candidates who can present some academic merit when selecting staff.
You may find a local gardening group or a college that runs evening courses in horticulture, botany or landscaping. By joining these groups you're more likely to meet others with similar interests and tutors you can learn from. There might also be community enterprise schemes, public demesnes and council parks where you might find work as an assistant groundskeeper, in a paid or voluntary capacity, where you could learn how to use a range of essential landscaping tools. Botanical gardens, garden centres and nurseries can help increase your knowledge and use of flowers, plants and trees.
Landscaping companies require alert and physically fit young people to assist with many of the challenging tasks demanded in this business and as such, they regularly recruit apprentices eager to learn the trade. Securing a position with a landscape gardener or a parks and greenways maintenance crew is the ideal start for anyone hoping to begin a landscaping career. Seasoned professionals can teach you much of what you require, show you the tricks of the trade and grant you invaluable hands-on experience. Skills you can learn from an apprenticeship include:
Technical colleges, further education institutes and horticulture academies provide a variety of learning options for those interested in furthering their landscaping ambitions. They offer special programmes for those looking to focus on specific areas of landscaping. Through these institutes, you can earn a degree or certificate in gardening, horticulture and landscaping. These courses cover a range of subjects, such as: