Plant Care Tips

Push your finger two inches into the soil. If it is dry at that depth, water thoroughly. Surface moisture is misleading because the top inch dries fastest. Deep, infrequent watering encourages roots to grow down rather than staying shallow and drought-vulnerable.

Early morning, before the heat sets in. This gives plants time to absorb moisture before evaporation peaks and lets foliage dry before evening, reducing fungal disease risk. Evening watering is the second-best option, but avoid wetting leaves.

Prune spring-flowering shrubs right after they bloom, and summer-flowering shrubs in late winter or early spring before new growth starts. Dead or damaged branches can be removed any time. The biggest pruning mistake is cutting at the wrong season and removing next year's flower buds.

Follow the product instructions and err on the side of less. More fertilizer does not mean more growth — it often means root burn, excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers, and salt buildup in the soil. A soil test tells you what is actually missing.

Cut back spent perennials, apply mulch to protect roots from frost, plant spring bulbs, and remove any diseased foliage to prevent overwintering pathogens. Fall is also the best time to divide overgrown perennials.

Yellowing can mean overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiency, or pH imbalance. Check the soil moisture first — overwatering is the most common cause. If moisture is fine, a balanced fertilizer or soil test usually identifies the issue.