Lawn & Landscape Guide
Information for growing beautiful lawns and landscapes in Tennessee
Everything you need to know to manage a lawn & garden like a pro!
Learn more about the following topics by clicking the image:
Pruning – When to do What?
When to prune what can be tricky for homeowners. How do you know which plants can or should be pruned, and when should that be done for each particular plant? Contrary to popular belief, pruning should NOT be done in the fall. I am not sure how that particular practice came to be, but let me give you some other options. As a “rule of thumb” spring blooming woodies produce flowering buds on OLD WOOD and should be pruned immediately after their bloom allowing for continued growth during the season producing the following years bloom display. Summer blooming woodies produce flowering buds on NEW WOOD and should be pruned in late winter before the initiation of new growth for the season. Broadleaf evergreens, and deciduous non-flowering shrubs should also be pruned in late winter. Check out this publication for more information on pruning and managing woody ornamentals by clicking on the button below:
Tree Topping Hurts!
A practice called topping is a severe threat to tree health and is a common problem in Tennessee. Topping is particularly visible where it has been used to reduce tree height around homes and utility lines. There is never a good reason to top a tree. Topping removes the tree’s main leader and branches, resulting in stubs and large wounds that never heal properly and greatly shorten the life of the tree. After topping, new growth is disfigured with small sprouts and weak limbs that produce a dense canopy with poor air circulation. Insects and disease organisms thrive in this environment.