Anson Nursery is "Citrus County's Gardening Expert". We are well-versed in all aspects of gardening and landscape design. We have compiled a list of the most commonly asked for information by our customers below for your convenience.

If you don't see the information you are looking for below, please contact our professional staff and we will be glad to assist you.

Mulching:

Mulch serves many purposes. It helps to add nutrients and organic matter to the soil, reduces plant stress, suppresses weeds and keeps water in the soil around plants. About 2” of mulch is suggested around shrubs, trees, annuals, vegetable and flower gardens.

Removing Weeds & Adding Native Plants.

Unwanted plants and weeds use water that you intended to be used for the plants you want. Removing them helps the plants you want get the nutrients they need.

Native Plants are adapted to our dry and rainy seasons. Native plants offer habitat to area wildlife.

Watering Guidelines:

Testing the soil by sticking your finger down about 3” to 4” is a good technique. If the soil is dry obviously you need to water and if it’s moist then there is no need to water.

-          Weather observation is also a helpful tool. (Is it a normal or unusual year in terms of moisture and temperature?)

 -          What type of conditions is good for this plant? (Does it like dry conditions, normal moisture or a lot of moisture?)

-          Placing the plants in the right spot. Shade loving plants in a shady spot and sun loving plants in a sunny spots.

Conditions That Require More Frequent Watering:

Plants put on a slope will dry out quickly. The water runs downhill away from the roots. The hose needs to stay on a slow trickle and placed above the plant on the slope. You will also need to water more frequently. Plants you have under a roof overhang will need more water since the soil in areas like these tend to be drier due to not receiving any rain.

Trees & Shrubs

After planting trees and shrubs they need to be frequently watered until they are well rooted. This may take two or more growing seasons. Once the plants are well established the water intake can slowly decrease to enable them to tolerate less frequent watering. When this is properly done it helps the plant develop deep roots and drought tolerance.

After trees and shrubs are established you can less frequently water them, but thoroughly. When there isn’t any rain trees and shrubs need a thorough watering once a month in growing season. On a tree or shrub the root feeding system is within the top 12’ of the soil at the “Drip Line” of the plant. It is located in the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches. Fertilizer and water should not be applied at the trunk, but inside and a little beyond the drip line. Lay a slow running hose around the drip line area until each area becomes soaked about 8” to 10” in depth. Larger trees could take several hours in this process.

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Planting Instructions for trees and shrubs: 

  1. Dig a planting hole with a depth that 1/8 of the root ball will be sitting out of ground. Planting to deep can cause plant death. Shrub holes should be 12” wider than the root ball and 18” wider for trees.
  2. When preparing soil mixture add a shovelful of compost or Leafgro to every two to three shovelfuls of dirt removed from the hole. Don’t use topsoil as a soil conditioner. Make sure you mix thoroughly.
  3. Plants in pots need to be gently removed by placing them on their sides softly tapping the sides of the container. Always remove it from the pot sideways, very carefully. You will want to handle the plant by the root ball. Inserting slits, with a knife, onto the root ball will assist the root system in growing into the soil.
  4. You should never drop root balls in the hole. Roll it in the hole at all times. If there is a burlap root ball always cut the rope and burlap after in has been placed in the hole. Fill the hole with soil mixture while making sure that your plant is standing straight. Do not put soil on top of the root ball and pack the soil in as the hole is being filled in.
  5. Put 2” to 3” deep mulch around the base of the plant. No more than 3” should be placed around the plant. In no case should you pile mulch to make a mound like structure.
  6.  When staking a tree, hammer a stake into the ground about 6” beyond the edge of the hole. Fasten a biodegradable rope tightly around the stake, but loosely around the trunk.
  7. Water the plant thoroughly.
  8. Remove labels and tags. Cut out any broken branches.