Plant care
Pruning
Pruning garden plants may be necessary for a variety of reasons. For example, pruning to:
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A desired shape
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A desired size
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Increase blossoms
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Enhance fruit development
Younger plants tend to need pruning to develop the required shape, while mature specimens may need pruning to curb growth encroaching on other plants or perhaps enhance their flowering, or simply to remove dead & diseased growth to retain their health.
Nourishing & Fertilising
The right balance of nutrients (particularly in younger plants) gives you a healthier and lusher plant.
Appropriate application of fertilisers at the various stages of plant development benefit the plant developing good root and foliage structures.
Seasonal application of nutrients will "lift" a mature plant, particularly if it is struggling or if conditions are tough.
Watering
Long periods without rain do occur, and while mature specimens can generally weather a reduction of water in a typical Irish summer, newer plants may need more care. Established plants will often require some watering during summer dry spells. Be sure to book your gardener far in advance of any planned holidays to ensure the time is reserved to water your beloved plants.
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Weed Control
A weed is anything that qualifies as an unwanted element.
There are numerous methods of weed control. Proximity planting in conjunction with regular hoeing and/or applying mulch is the principal method we use in our customers' gardens.
However, occasionally other methods are necessary preferable.
If chemical treatment is necessary (this is rare), a glyphosphate based solution is often the best choice as its active ingredients deactivate upon contact with soil.
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Hedge care
Hedges are a tremendous part of many a garden. While beautiful in their own right, hedges can serve so many beneficial functions from reducing noise pollution, providing shelter and privacy not to mention a sanctuary and causeway for wildlife.
Caring for your hedges follow the plant care requirements of specific to the type of hedge and should particularly include regular trimming to ensure the hedge remains in good health with good density and good shape. Nothing is worse than an overgrown leggy hedge that needs remedial work or removal!
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Staking,
Supporting
& Training
Young trees and shrubs benefit from staking to reduce wind damage or growing (in the "wrong" direction) toward sunlight. Individual plants can require structural support in an open bed or against bed boarders. Climbers such as clematis can benefit from tying in to an appropriate frame to avoid flopping or growing out of shape. It is important to get this right before the plant "needs" the support as working backwards is more tricky.
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Mulching
Mulching between plants is a common method of weed control.
However, half hardy and tender plants will benefit from mulch applications to protect the root structures from cold and frost.
In addition, mulch adds nutrients to the soil as it breaks down thereby adding valuable nutrients for the soil and your plants' benefit.
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Pest control
Chemical treatment of pests are to be avoided unless as a very last resort. Pesticides are incredibly harmful to beneficial elements as well as being harmful to just the undesired pest.
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Planting & Replanting
Whether you are planting something new or moving an existing plant to a new location you may wish to have help with the process.
And sometimes its great just to have someone else to do the digging!