Caring for Your Outdoor Investment

Mulch Management

• Refresh mulch annually in early spring or fall
  
  
• Maintain a 2–3" layer around plant beds — not too thick ,not too thin
  
  
• Avoid “volcano mulching” around tree trunks, which causes rot
  
  
• Mulch helps with weed suppression and moisture retention
  

Weed and Edge Control

• Hand-pull weeds regularly — especially before they flower
  
  
• Install weed fabric only under rock and not in mulch zones.

• Mulch at the proper depth of 2–3 inches to naturally suppress weed growth.
  

Watering Wisely

• Water deeply but infrequently, encouraging deep root systems
  
  
• Early morning is the best time to water to reduce evaporation
  
  
• Avoid overhead watering on leaves to prevent mildew and disease
  
  
• Drip irrigation or soaker hoses are efficient for garden beds, but hand watering is essential to help new plants establish during the first season.
  

Fertilizing and Feeding

• Apply slow-release fertilizer in early spring as needed
  
  
• Know your plant types — some benefit from feeding, others don’t
  
  
• Avoid over-fertilizing perennials or natives
  

Patios & Walkways

• Refill joint sand on pavers if erosion occurs
  
  
• Inspect for settling or movement, especially after freeze-thaw cycles
  
  
• Clean with low-pressure water and a stiff brush — avoid power washers on stone
  

Retaining Walls

• Check for bowing, cracks, or signs of drainage failure
  
  
• Make sure drainage tile outlets and drainage paths stay clear.



• Remove vegetation from behind walls to reduce pressure buildup
  

Stone Steps and Outcroppings

• Inspect for slipping or shifting
  
  
• Re-set stones that have moved using proper base techniques
  
  
• Keep pathways free of leaf debris and ice in fall/winter
  

Perennial Maintenance

• Cut back perennials in late fall or early spring depending on species
  
  
• Deadhead spent blooms to promote more flowering
  
  
• Divide overcrowded clumps every 3–5 years
  
  
• Leave some seed heads for winter wildlife interest
  

Shrubs and Small Trees

• Prune most deciduous shrubs in late fall or early spring, and prune evergreen shrubs in mid-summer.

• Shape early-spring flowering shrubs within a month after bloom time.
  
  
• Avoid shearing — use selective cuts for plant health
  
  
• Mulch around base but leave a gap at the trunk
  

Annual Color & Containers

• Replace annuals seasonally for fresh color
  
  
• Fertilize containers every 2–3 weeks during growing season
  
  
• Water daily during hot periods — pots dry out faster than beds
  

Drainage Zones

• Watch for pooling water after heavy rain — this could indicate settling
  
  
• Clear out rain gardens and swales of leaves or silt annually
  
  
• Re-grade mulch or soil as needed to maintain water flow paths



• Installing a floating heater in winter allows you to keep water in the pond and maintain oxygen exchange to keep koi fish alive all winter.
  

Water Features & Ponds

• Skim leaves and debris weekly
  
  
• Clean pumps and filters as needed
  
  
• Winterize in fall — remove delicate plants and stop pumps before freeze
  
  
• Refill slowly in spring to avoid shocking aquatic systems