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| Plant Material | ||
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- shrubs - trees - ferns - vines - perennials - ferns - annuals | ||
| Plant Care | ||
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- soil preparation - mulching - pruning - planting Park Design |
- lighting | - irrigation - playground equipment - volunteer programs |
| Park Design Municipal Park Management & Urban Forestry | ||||||
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| Mulching in a shrub or flower bed can be done prior to planting if the mulch is pushed aside and spread back after planting. Other professionals prefer to add mulch after planting. An easy way to do this is to place the empty pot over the plant; after the mulch is added, the pot can be removed. This technique also keeps the mulch away from the plant stems, which can cause the plant to rot. The mulch material a mulch material that is currently being used, such as shredded bark, buckwheat hulls, or wood chips. A fine-textured mulch looks best in flower beds and areas of high visibility while a coarse mulch, such as wood chips, is good for trees and shrubs. A good mulch should do the following: * Pull the design together with harmony * Suppress weeds * Provide color and texture to the landscape * Enhance the root development of all the plants * Add organic matter and nutrients to the soil through decomposition * Improve water-holding capacity * Prevent water evaporation * Moderate soil moisture * Improve earthworm and soil insect growth, which moves organic matter into the soil * Improve aeration * Encourage more root development into mulch and soil Mulch should be applied to a settled depth of 3 inches for trees and shrubs, 1 inch for perennials, and 2 inches for annuals. Plastic is not a good mulch because it reduces soil oxygen and moisture and causes severe damage to plants after three years. Plant Management | ||