Evaluating plant health goes beyond noticing the obvious characteristics—whether it’s lush and alive or dried up and dead. Take a closer look at the plants around your home and garden to better understand what they really need.

Evaluating Plant Health by Variety

All plants in your yard are either annual or perennial. It’s important to pay attention to where you plant perennials in your garden if you want them to come back strong and healthy every year. They all have a preference for the amount of sun, shade, soil, and water they receive, so planting them in the right spot makes yearly maintenance easier.

While a majority of your garden may be made up of perennial plants, trees, and shrubs, you can add even more visual interest with different types of annuals every year. Even though these varieties are not likely to last as long as perennials, they still have certain planting preferences to consider to make the most of their time in the garden.

Maintenance Tips

Maintenance is key to keeping all plants healthy. Even hardy varieties require care and attention. Note which of your plants needs more water and fertilizer and keep a regular schedule to keep them looking their best. Here are the major maintenance practices for all plants.

• Pruning. While it’s important to remove dead, damaged, and diseased sections of any tree, shrub, or flower, some dried plants can still provide visual interest in your garden. They also offer food and habit for wildlife in the winter and can be left alone unless the animals are harming the plants.
• Fertilizing. Plants need food just like humans, and the right amount is just as important.
• Mulch. A layer of mulch acts as insulation in the winter and weed control in the summer. Unless your garden is covered with plants, add mulch for a beneficial filler.
• Water. Not too much or too little, of course, but it’s a natural necessity for all living things.

Keeping up with a regular maintenance plan for your plants helps keep them as healthy as possible. For more tips on how to make this process as easy as possible, contact Elite Tree Care.

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