Tending to herbaceous living landscaping such as turf, flowers and grasses is a routine that most homeowners are well accustomed to. It's easy to forget that the water and fertilizer needs of trees and shrubs should be considered as well.
Every living plant needs a certain level of irrigation. Trees and shrubs need roughly an inch of water every week, whether it comes from rain or your garden hose. The ideal amount can double during intense dry spells. When you water trees and shrubs, it's important to focus on the roots, not the leaf zones.
A slow-drip soaker hose placed around the base of the plant works best. As opposed to sprinklers which spread water over a large turf area, soaker hoses deliver a slow and steady trickle of water to a precise area. This efficient method allows water to be thoroughly absorbed into the soil and delivered to the roots.
When it comes to fertilization, trees' and shrubs' specific needs depend largely on where they're located. Trees and shrubs that are planted in the middle of a fertilized lawn should not need any additional feeding. The residual fertilization that trees and shrubs receive from being in close proximity to well-fed turf should keep them in good shape. If they're located in plant beds, trees and shrubs can benefit from periodic applications of slow-release fertilizer. This type of fertilizer gives trees and shrubs a steady flow of nutrients and is less likely to be lost to runoff or leaching deep into the soil.
