Common Landscape Myths Exposed

Knowing the truth about certain landscape realities can lead to a more successful landscape maintenance business.

A bug is a bug
Landscape contractors should always get rid of Aphids.

Native, native, native
Landscape Professionals should only plant native plants in dry climates.
There are non-natives that offer the same virtues. The list of these plants includes a much wider range of offerings. Start with "Plants and Landscapes for Summer-Dry Climate" published by East Bay Municipal Utilities District.

Stronger is better
A more potent fertilizer is a better fertilizer.
Chemical fertilizers and generally any product with a percentage above 10-10-10 are bad for the environment. But they're not great for the long-term health of plants, either. Plants may respond to the potency of the mix, blooming more quickly and fully, but in the long term, these chemicals will leave the plant depleted. It's been compared to a sugar rush: immediate euphoria then a crash.

Resolution: Use widely available organic or non-chemical fertilizers, which also have the benefit of being slow-release formulations.

Who needs it?
Landscape contractors don?EUR??,,????'?????<
All plants need nutrients on a regular basis. Unless your client is growing vegetables, where you can add soil amendments at the beginning of each planting year, you'll need to top dress or add fertilizer of some kind to feed the plants. This is especially true for heavy feeders, such as fruit-bearing shrubs and trees, and potted pots that have a limited volume of soil and thus a limited amount of nutrients. As a general rule, fertilize plants four times a year. An all-purpose blend will be fine, though there are mixes for acid-loving plants and for citrus and fruit trees. If your plants are having trouble flowering, try a 0-10-10 blend.