Expert Advice on Watering, Sunlight, Fertilizing & More

At Maple Leaf Farms, we don’t just sell plants—we help you grow them successfully! Proper plant care and maintenance are essential for ensuring healthy, vibrant plants all year round. Whether you’re growing trees, shrubs, perennials, evergreens, houseplants, or edible plants, here’s everything you need to know about watering, fertilizing, sunlight needs, and general plant care!
 

💧 The Right Way to Water Your Plants

Watering is one of the most critical aspects of plant care. Doing it correctly prevents overwatering, encourages strong root development, and keeps plants healthy and thriving.
 

🌱 How Often Should You Water?

✅ Newly Planted Trees & Shrubs → Water 2-3 times per week for the first 6 months or up to a year to establish strong roots. After that, rainfall should be sufficient, with additional watering only during dry spells.
✅ Perennials & Flowering Plants → Keep soil evenly moist—usually 1-2 times per week in warm weather. Adjust as needed based on temperature and plant needs.
✅ Evergreens & Privacy Trees → Water thoroughly once a week in dry conditions. Before winter, give a deep soak to prevent winter burn.
✅ Container Plants & Hanging Baskets → Dry out quickly and may need every other day watering in summer.
 

🌊 Best Watering Methods & Application Guidelines

The best watering method depends on your plants, soil type, and weather conditions.
 

🚿 Soaker Hose (Best for Trees, Shrubs & Flower Beds)

A soaker hose delivers slow, consistent moisture directly to the roots without water waste.
⏳ Timing: 20-25 minutes per watering session for an average 3-6 ft tree or shrub.
📌 Best Use: Lay the hose around the base of trees or along plant rows, ensuring water reaches the root zone.
 

💦 Watering Can (Best for Individual Trees & Shrubs)

For precise watering, use a watering can or bucket to measure by gallons per plant.
📌 Application Guide:

• Small Shrubs (1-3 ft): 1-2 gallons per watering

• Medium Shrubs (3-5 ft): 3-5 gallons per watering

• Large Shrubs & Trees (6+ ft): 5-10 gallons per watering

• Established Trees (8+ ft): 15+ gallons per watering during dry periods

✅ Water at the base of the plant to avoid leaf diseases.
✅ Slow, steady watering allows water to penetrate deeply without runoff.
 

🚰 Hose with Sprayer Nozzle (Best for Perennials, Flowers & Containers)

A regular garden hose with a sprayer nozzle works well for smaller plants, flowers, and containers.
📌 Application Guide:

• Perennials & Flowering Plants: Water for 30-60 seconds per plant, ensuring soil is moist but not saturated.

• Potted Plants: Check soil moisture daily. Water until you see excess draining from the bottom.

✅ Mist flowers lightly on hot days to prevent heat stress.
✅ Morning watering is ideal to allow soil to absorb moisture before the heat of the day.
 

🚫 Avoid Overwatering!

💡 Tip: Stick your finger 1-2 inches into the soil—if it's still damp, hold off on watering. If dry, it’s time to water!

By following these watering guidelines and choosing the right method, your plants will grow stronger, healthier, and more resilient! 🌱
 

🌞 Understanding Sunlight Needs

Each plant has specific sunlight requirements that determine how well it will grow.

☀️ Full Sun (6+ Hours of Direct Sunlight Daily)

• Ideal for sun-loving plants like roses, coneflowers, daylilies, and most vegetables.

• Great for privacy trees and evergreens like Green Giants, Norway Spruce, and Leyland Cypress.

⛅ Partial Sun/Part Shade (4-6 Hours of Sunlight Daily)

• Works well for many perennials and shrubs that prefer some afternoon shade.

• Perfect for hydrangeas, hostas, ferns, and shade-tolerant evergreens.

🌳 Shade (Less than 4 Hours of Sunlight Daily)

• Best for shade-loving plants like azaleas, rhododendrons, and ferns.

• Some privacy trees, like Canadian Hemlock, can tolerate more shade than other evergreens.

💡 TIP: If a plant struggles, check its sunlight conditions and adjust if needed!
 

🌱 Fertilizing – When & How to Feed Your Plants

Fertilizing provides essential nutrients for strong root growth, lush foliage, and vibrant blooms.

📌 How Often Should You Fertilize?
✔ 2-3 times per year, depending on the plant and fertilizer type.
✔ Early spring for strong growth, mid-summer if needed, and late fall to strengthen roots before winter.

📌 Choosing the Right Fertilizer
🌳 Trees & Shrubs → Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer in early spring and fall.
🌿 Evergreens & Privacy Trees → A nitrogen-rich fertilizer encourages healthy green foliage.
🌸 Flowering Perennials & Annuals → A phosphorus-heavy fertilizer enhances blooms.
🥦 Fruits, Vegetables & Herbs → Organic compost or vegetable fertilizer supports growth.

🚫 Avoid Over-Fertilizing! Too much fertilizer can burn roots and harm plants. Always follow product instructions.
 

✂ Pruning & Maintenance – Keeping Plants Healthy

Pruning helps encourage new growth, remove dead branches, and improve shape.

✔ Trees & Shrubs → Best pruned in late winter or early spring before new growth begins.
✔ Flowering Shrubs & Perennials → Some plants self-clean, meaning they don’t need deadheading. For others, removing spent blooms will encourage more flowers.
✔ Evergreens → Typically require minimal pruning, but shaping is best done in early spring or late summer.

💡 TIP: Always use sharp, clean pruning shears to avoid damaging plants.
 

🌿 Pest & Disease Control

Keeping plants healthy also means protecting them from pests and diseases.
 

🐛 Common Pests & Solutions

• Aphids & Spider Mites – Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

• Caterpillars & Beetles – Hand-pick or apply natural pesticides.

• Deer & Rabbits – Use deer-resistant plants, fencing, or repellents.
   

🍂 Common Plant Diseases & Prevention

• Powdery Mildew & Fungal Diseases – Improve air circulation & avoid overhead watering.

• Root Rot & Overwatering Issues – Ensure well-draining soil & don’t overwater.

• Leaf Spot & Rust – Remove infected leaves & apply fungicides if needed.
   

📌 Seasonal Plant Maintenance Guide
 

🌸 Spring

• Prune dead branches & apply spring fertilizer.

• Begin watering schedule & add fresh mulch.
   

☀️ Summer

• Water during dry spells & monitor for pests.

• Deadhead flowers for continuous blooming.
   

🍂 Fall

• Plant trees, shrubs, & perennials before winter dormancy.

• Apply fall fertilizer for root strength.
   

❄️ Winter

• Wrap delicate plants with burlap or covers to protect from frost.

• Water evergreens on warm winter days to prevent winter burn.
   

💡 Need Help with Your Plants?

At Maple Leaf Farms, we’re here to help you choose the right plants and teach you how to care for them. Visit us for expert advice, top-quality plants, fertilizers, pest control solutions, and more!

📍 Location: 525 US-9, Manalapan, NJ 07726
📞 Phone: 732-851-4400
 

🌿 The Right Care = Thriving Plants!

By following these watering, fertilizing, sunlight, and maintenance tips, your plants will stay healthy, vibrant, and strong for years to come!

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