Extension Report

Baldwin County Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Mike McQueen

Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests

September 30, 2008

Common Landscape Mistakes

Are you considering adding plants to your landscape? Fall is an excellent time to plant trees and shrubs. Avoiding common landscape mistakes can save you time, money, and resources. Here are some of the more common mistakes found in the landscape:

Poor Planting Techniques/Soil Preparation

Many people have told me they have “the worst soil.” Plants can be grown in almost any soil. The key is soil preparation. Soil preparation can be as simple as tilling the soil with pine bark or compost for aeration, or as thorough as combining the soil test recommendations with three inches of manure over a large area. Soil amendments are any material that, when added to a soil, improves its physical, biological, and chemical properties.

Planting depth is important too. Trees and shrubs should be planted slightly higher than ground level to allow for settling of the soil and to prevent possible root problems because of being planted too deep. For bulbs and seeds, carefully follow package instructions.

Fertilization

When do I apply fertilizer? If your answer is “Whenever my neighbor does it,” this could cause problems in your landscape. Plants should be fertilized according to their specific needs.

Most trees and shrubs should be fertilized in early spring, just as they start to come out of dormancy. Fertilizing at the end of the growing season causes plants to put on new growth and possibly be injured by frost.  Too much or too little fertilizer can be harmful to plants. It is always a good practice to follow soil test recommendations to insure plants are getting the right amount of nutrients.

Plant Selection

Okay, it’s time to confess. Have you been thumbing through your gardening catalogs and see an exotic looking plant? Do you consult the USDA Hardiness Zone Map for Alabama? (http://www.growit.com/bin/USDAZoneMaps.exe?MyState=AL) Or do you go straight for the phone, dial the toll-free number and order the plant without a second thought? The Southern part of Alabama is in USDA Zone 8. Choosing plants adapted to this zone will help insure the least amount of plant growing problems.

Plant Location (Right Plant, Right Place)

Many times plants are placed in the wrong location in the landscape. Before choosing landscape plants for a certain location, do a little research about the plants you are considering.  Here are few things questions to ask: What is the plant’s mature size? Does the plant grow best in full sun or shaded conditions? Does the plant grow best in well-drained or wet soil conditions? You can save money and many headaches by selecting plants that are adapted to your planting location.

Master Gardener Information Line

Master Gardeners are standing by the phones of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System’s Master Gardener Information line to answer gardeners and homeowners’ questions.  Master Gardeners will provide answers based on current research and best practices under the supervision of Extension Agents.

To reach the Horticulture Information line, dial 1-877-252-GROW (4769) from 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.. Callers will be asked to select from one of four regional help lines. For assistance, callers in our area should choose the Southwest Alabama option (option #1).

Email address: mcquegj@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.

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