Landscape Aftercare Guidelines for ROCKAWAY, INC. Installations

Landscape Aftercare Guidelines for ROCKAWAY, INC. Installations

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Thank you for choosing Rockaway, Inc. to help you with your landscaping needs! Our goal is to leave you with a landscape that will be enjoyed for years to come. To make things easier, we supply this sheet of tips and guidelines for success.

WATERING

As of August, 2011, the SJRWM District, Duval County, St. John’s County and the Beaches Municipalities all allow you to water your new landscape with an irrigation system every day for 30 days, and then every other day for the next 30 days as long as you do so between 4:00PM and 9:00AM. Hand watering and low volume watering (such as drip, micro-irrigation and soaker hoses) are permitted at any time. Watering is best done in the morning to avoid fungal problems.

In general, most plants need to be watered every day for 2-4 weeks after planting. A good general post-planting watering schedule is as follows: week 1 and 2 every day, week 3 and 4 every other day, week 5 and 6 every third day, then 2 times per week or what is allowed by law. Fall/Winter plantings usually don’t require as much water as summer plantings and can receive water in weeks 1 and 2 every other day, weeks 3 and 4 every third day, weeks 5 and 6 twice weekly then once weekly or what is allowed by law.

If you are going to rely on irrigation systems, please make sure all plants are receiving adequate cover-age. The spray/pop-up zones should be set for at least 15-25 minutes per cycle and rotor zones should be set for 45-60 minutes. These are guidelines. Both duration and frequency of watering depend on site specifics such as sun and wind exposure, current rainfall, weather patterns and whether the site is naturally wet or dry. We will be happy to help you determine adjustments. We also suggest that even those who rely on irrigation for most of their watering needs should try to hand water new plantings at least once or twice a week for the first month. This ensures that you will notice any decline, water deficiencies or stresses in the plant material before it is too late.

Large trees and shrubs (15 gal and over) should be given water by hand supplemental to the irrigation system. A good rule of thumb is to give the plant the amount of water equivalent to approximately half the pot size (i.e. 5-7 gal for a 15 gal tree). The need for this watering can also be met by installing a bubbler on individual trees, which can be done by Rockaway at your request for an additional charge.

Staking

If your plants/trees required support, Rockaway installed it at the time of planting. Most trees should remain staked for at least 6 months, depending on their size, rate of growth and the current season. Your Rockaway designer or installers will provide you with information regarding proper timing of removal, which is usually within 1 year.

Feeding

In general most plants benefit from regular applications of plant food. Feb/March, May and September are great months to feed most plants. Others require specific types of food in certain seasons or at regular intervals. For instance, citrus should be fed with citrus food at least four times a year between March and October, depending on the age of the tree. Azaleas, camellias and gardenias also benefit from specific foods with high acid content usually during the growing season. Rockaway uses compost and/or planting mix and organic fertilizer when planting. No additional fertilization should be needed within the first month. Roses are the only exception to this rule and will benefit from a liquid fertilization about two weeks after installation. We have separate care handouts for both citrus and roses.

Pruning

Most new plantings should not be pruned for at least one month after planting. Any exceptions to this will be discussed with you by your Rockaway designer or installer.

Cold tolerance

Rockaway tries to utilize only cold hardy plants in our installations. Sometimes to achieve the desired effect or due to client request, tropical or half hardy plants are used. These plants, such as crotons, hibiscus, and Ti plants, benefit from the application of frost cloth or blankets when the temperature is forecast to drop below 32 degrees for more than 4 hours. Young citrus trees also benefit from being covered during a freeze. Some plants, although hardy, do tend to get brown leaves after a frost. Commonly used plants that will die back and return after a hard freeze are variegated flax lily and variegated ginger. These plants should be trimmed back only after the last chance of frost has passed. If cut back too early, the plant can be stimulated to grow during one of our winter’s frequent mild spells, only to be hit by frost again—which can lead to death of the plant.

Gardening success depends on many factors and problems can arise unique to your situation. Guidelines can be open to interpretation. If you need additional information or assistance, please contact us at 904-853-6572 ext. 310 and we would be happy to help.

Warranty Details

  • Rockaway, Inc. also provides Maintenance Service plans on an on-going or as-needed basis. Plants installed and maintained by us are guaranteed for the duration of the contract. If installed but not maintained by us, plants are guaranteed at 50% cost for one year. Annuals and frost tender tropicals are excluded from this and Rockaway is not responsible for plants damaged due to an act of God.
  • Additional labor not included with original invoice can be completed if time allows, at the current hourly rate. Any needed irrigation repairs or adjustments will be billed at our current hourly rate plus materials.
  • Please call or email us immediately if plants are not performing to your expectations and begin to decline, so that we may inspect them in a timely fashion.
  • Rockaway, Inc. is not responsible for private underground utilities (electrical, water, irrigation, gas etc). It is the customer’s responsibility to call 811 for locates.