Nature's Choice Landscaping & Irrigation Inc. » Maintenance

Queen Palm Trees

Nature's Choice — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:50:44 +0000

Queen palms, unlike Mexican fan palms, require special care. Queen palms preferably should be on a separate irrigation line from shrubs to provide watering. Queen palms also need to be watered more often than other palms. You’ll need to fertilize your Queen palms with:

2 tbsp. of ammonium sulfate once per month
1/4 cup of epsom salt once every 90 days
Palm tree food every 90 days

These palms also prefer to have enriched compost around the top of the root ball.

Image provided by billjacobus1

Cactus

Nature's Choice — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 05:47:28 +0000

Cacti need good drainage away from the roots and do not require fertilizer. Most cacti need supplemental water to establish themselves in the beginning. After they are established, you may slowly take away regular watering.

Photo provided by John-Morgan

Ocotillo

Nature's Choice — Sat, 07 Aug 2010 05:46:00 +0000

This type of cactus requires supplemental water during dry periods and requires the branches to be misted periodically.

Image provided by kretyen.

Desert Trees

Nature's Choice — Thu, 05 Aug 2010 05:42:38 +0000

Desert trees are native to this area and do not require and fertilization. Your drip emitters will be close to the root ball of the tree when first installed, and should be pulled away as the tree matures to approximately half the diameter of the canopy. This will help prevent the tree from blowing over and assist in developing a healthier root system. Once the tree is established, you should eliminate the drip system to the tree and water deeply with the hose twice per month.

Image provided by Ms. Phoenix.

Shrubs

Nature's Choice — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 05:12:09 +0000

Desert shrubs require no fertilization. Non-desert shrubs require fertilization twice per year with ammonium sulfate or a general fertilizer (16-8-4), once in the spring and once in the fall.

Image provided by Andrea_44.

Irrigation System Components

Nature's Choice — Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:49:40 +0000

Clock

You must learn to adjust your clock’s watering schedule. This schedule needs to be changed according to the change in seasons, and with the change in maturity of the plants. Your clock will always be located next to your outside electrical panel.

Vacuum Breaker

This is installed next to your front yard hose bibb. It prevents irrigation water from entering your drinking water. It has two handles which can be turned to shut off the irrigation system.

Electrical Valves

The electrical valves are located below ground in a plastic box. The grass valves need no maintenance. The drip valves have a filter that needs to be cleaned out once per year.

Grass Sprinkler Heads

Grass sprinkler heads should be checked for adjustment every 90 days. The filter in each head needs to be cleaned out once per year.

Plant & Tree Emitters

The water lines should be moved away from the trunk as the tree matures. Failure to move the water away from the trunk will cause your tree to blow over in high winds. Plants & tree emitters should be checked at least twice per year for proper water flows and/or damage.

Image provided by nancybeetoo.

Frost Tender Plants

Nature's Choice — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 04:43:56 +0000

Some of your plants may be frost tender. You must cover these plants with fabric when the temperature drops below 35°.

Image provided by mediafury.

Weed Control

Nature's Choice — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 04:40:38 +0000

Pre-emergent, applied twice per year, is the best weed control agent in granite areas. Plastic overlays are no longer used depending on your landscape. Some weed growth will occur even after treatment and should be manually removed.

Image provided by benketaro.

Water Drainage

Nature's Choice — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:37:26 +0000

Your yard has been pre-graded by your builder to drain water off your property (or into a retention basin). The landscaping design is built around your drainage plan.

Image provided by dpatricklewis.

Termite Barrier

Nature's Choice — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 04:36:04 +0000

In order to prevent termites, your home’s foundation perimeter has been treated with a chemical. Plants are not allowed to be installed within this 24″ perimeter.

Image provided by mcyrusjohnson.