How To

Evaluate & Improve Soil

To strengthen your plants for the harsh summer weather, make sure to feed and nourish the soil with lawn food so they not only survive but also thrive. Learn how to classify the type of soil in your yard, what soil amendments to use, proper soil maintenance, and gardening tips.

Apply Lawn Fertilizer for Deep Greening

Lawn Fertilizer helps maintain a healthy, h5 lawn to fight off summer stress. For quick greening, try using a Lawn Fertilizer with Iron. Iron increases the potential for a thicker, greener turf. Iron also helps develop a deep root system, which prevents weeds from growing and creates an overall healthier lawn.

Apply Weed & Feed

Weed and Feed kills the toughest weeds that can overtake lawns. It also provides lawns with consistent, extended feeding without burning.

Deep Watering

Be sure to water deep enough to reach the grass roots. One inch of water per week is an ideal amount, but it is important to avoid soaking. Try our Lawn Improvement to confirm your lawn receives the proper amount of water. 

One-Third Rule

To keep you lawn green and healthy after cutting, make sure you remove no more than one-third of the grass blade. If you cut the grass blades too short, you will stress out your lawn and it will become burnt out. For tips on mowing, check out our article: How to Mow Your Lawn.

Highest Acceptable Height

When grass has long blades the roots will grow deeper. Deep-rooted grass will be more able to withstand drought and oppose pests and diseases. Ideally, you should not cut your grass shorter than 2.5”-3”. This way you don’t damage the turf and stress out your lawn. The size of the shoot equals the size of the root.

Sharp Mower Blades

It is important to cut your grass correctly in order to reduce damage and increase its quality. Make sure your mower blades are kept sharp and clean to keep turf healthy all season long. Sharp blades provide cleaner cuts of grass, letting it recover from mowing faster. 

Change Up Mowing Patterns

Alternate the directions in which you cut so that the grass clippings do not pile up too much. 

Add Edging

This is an easy and inexpensive way to give your lawn a well-manicured look and give you a clean line for mowing and trimming.

Mowing is a job that can be timely and a burden. The following steps contain easy guidelines to ensure more efficient and effective mowing.

1. Keep in mind, there is no set schedule for mowing your lawn. Temperature, rainfall, sun exposure and fertilizer application can all affect the growth of your lawn. Instead, follow the 1/3rd rule by only trimming 1/3rd of the grass blade with each mowing. It is recommended to keep your lawn longer during the hot, summer months to reduce heat and drought stress. It is best to mow your lawn during the evening when grass is dry.
2. Make sure the mower blades are always kept sharp and clean.
3. Switch up your mowing pattern regularly. This makes the cut even and creates a cleaner and more appealing visual.
4. Unless your lawn is much taller than the recommended height for the variety, it is best to allow the grass clippings to fall back onto the lawn rather than being bagged. The clippings actually provide important nutrients to the grass and serve as a natural fertilizer. In fact, returning the clippings to your lawn adds about 1/3 of the yearly nitrogen needed to feed your lawn.
   
5. Water your grass in the early morning, preparing it for a full day of sun.
6. Be sure to fertilize your lawn with Specially Formulated Fertilizers. Feeding your lawn is essential for overall health. Stay on track by putting your lawn on a Lawn Fertilizer Program.

Roses are heavy feeders and need a constant supply of the right nutrients to survive.

WHY

: Feeding your Roses with Plant Food is a quick and easy way to provide the necessary nutrients they need. Plant Food is made up of three primary nutrients as well as secondary nutrients and trace minerals.

• Nitrogen

   is a major element in plant nutrition, promoting rapid growth, leaf formation, and green color.

• Phosphorus

   is essential for a h5 root system, brighter and more beautiful flowers, as well as overall health.

• Potassium

   is a catalyst for many plant functions. It helps build stem strength, increases disease resistance, aids in photosynthesis, and increases root growth. It also provides starches and oils, helps reduce water loss / wilting, and is necessary for plant protein formation.

• Micronutrients

   and 

  Trace Minerals

   also promote plant cell and root growth. Micronutrients include Calcium, Magnesium, and Sulfur. Trace Minerals include Boron, Chlorine, Copper, and Iron.

WHAT

: The necessary nutrients can be delivered through a fast-acting water soluble or slow-release granular formula. Both formulations result in effective and efficient nutrient distribution for optimal growth.  

Granular Plant Food

 is specially formulated to deliver all the important ingredients in several ways. The granulars provide quickly available nutrients for initial feeding and slow-release nitrogen for up to 3 months. The plant food is placed in the soil and carried through the roots. Like Schultz® Rose & Flower Slow Release Plant Food.
 

Water Soluble Plant Food

 is a fast acting solution that is dissolved and distributed every time you water. As you water, the necessary nutrients are reaching the plants through the roots and leaves. Like Schultz® Rose & Flower Water Soluble Plant Food.
 

HOW

:

Granular Plant Food

:

• For New Roses

   planted in the spring, feed at time of planting. Work into the top 6” of soil and repeat every 12 weeks.

• For Established Roses

  , sprinkle 8” – 10” from base and gently work into the top ¼ inch of soil. (Be sure to avoid damaging the roots) 

Water Soluble Plant Food

• For New Roses

  , feed and water after planting. Continue to use every time you water. If you only water once or twice a month, double your recommended amount. 

• For Established Roses

  , begin feeding as soon as new foliage has appeared. 

REMEMBER

• Your Roses need nutrients on a consistent basis 
• Stop feeding 4-6 weeks prior to frost to stop new growth from being damaged 
• Be sure to use the recommended amount on packaging

There are a lot of misconceptions about the work it takes to grow healthy roses. With a few simple steps and proper maintenance, you can easily grow beautiful roses to enjoy for a lifetime!

Choose the Right Spot. Make sure the location is fit for a rose plant. Avoid areas with shade; the location should receive 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Early sun is better than afternoon sun. 

Good Soil is Important. Roses like well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter, with a pH of 6 – 7.5. Your native soil could have too much clay or sand. For best results, we recommend you add a compost or garden soil to the native soil before planting.

The Right Roses. Make sure you are planting roses best for your climate. Follow the plant’s tag for planting instructions. Use Schultz® Starter Plus® Transplanting Solution for great results.

Mulching. Apply 1-3 inches of mulch around the base of your roses to keep the soil cool, retain moisture and naturally prevent weeds.

Watering. Be sure to water thoroughly at first. The water will activate the roots and help settle the soil. Continue to water every other day during the first four months. Then switch to watering heavily twice a week. Water in the morning and also at the base of the plant. Roses are susceptible to disease so try not to get water on the leaves. 

Feeding Your Roses. Roses crave specific nutrients. Feed them every bloom cycle or every other watering with a fertilizer specially formulated for roses. Schultz® brand offers Bloom Plus Water Soluble Plant Food, Rose Flower Slow Release Plant Food, Rose & Flower Water Soluble Plant Food, as well as many other useful products.

Pruning. The best time to prune roses is in early spring before new growth starts. Pruning will help the plant produce stronger and larger stems while removing dead or damaged canes. For tips on pruning, check out our Pruning Shrubs article.

Deadheading. Keep an eye on your roses. Remove any dead or faded blossoms; this will initiate the plant to produce a new bloom.