Installation

Planting

Whether you are looking to plant a small perennial garden or a mile-long driveway with large trees, we have the expertise and experience to do it, and to do it right. Your project will have our full attention from start to finish.

Plant Material: On staff, we have a horticulturist whose main priority is to insure that all of the plant material we receive meets our exceptionally high standards (much of what we reject conforms to "industry standards," but not to ours). We deal only with the finest growers who use the best growing and packaging methods. More than 90% of the trees we purchase have been hand selected and physically tagged by a member of our staff while they are still growing in the grower's field!

Site Preparation: Enough cannot be said about site preparation prior to planting; we take this part of the process quite seriously. How well the plants perform relates directly to how well the site has been prepared. The level of preparation will obviously depend on the specific site and the plant material involved, but, with respect to the ultimate success of the project, it is the most significant phase of the job.

Planting: Over the years, as a result of our experience, education, and horticultural expertise, we have developed numerous planting techniques; many are specific to certain site conditions and plant situations. While we are working on your project, we always invite your questions and participation. You will enjoy seeing your vision become a reality.

Aftercare: While we may have cleaned up and left your site, you have not seen the last of us. Periodically, during the first year that your plants are in the ground, someone from our staff is likely to stop by just to take a look at how things are going. While we guarantee all new plant material for a period of one year after installation, any plant or pest problem that can be caught and corrected early will insure that the plant(s) remain healthy and thrive during that critical first year, and then really "take off" in terms of growth during the second year. While we can observe the plants during these informal visits, we cannot be responsible for pest detection after the installation of the plants.

A written list of instructions, specific to your plants and your project with detailed watering guidelines and other items for your attention, will be given to you before we leave the site. After we leave, our staff and our expertise will still be available to answer any questions that you may have.

Whether what you have in mind are large plants, small plants, or plants in between, we know how to do the job, and how to do it right.

Transplanting

We have come across numerous situations where a good plant had been planted in the wrong location and had, with the passage of time, outgrown that location. Frequently these plants are worth keeping, but need to be relocated to a more suitable location.

Does transplanting make sense? Sometimes; our recommendation is as follows: If the 'present market value' exceeds the 'cost to transplant' then transplanting may make economic sense. We can provide the valuations and costs necessary to make this decision. For example, some plants are "priceless" and worth more than the cost to move them (large boxwoods being a perfect example). Before you assume your 12-14' American Boxwood is too large to move, give us a call.

The transplanting of large boxwoods is one of our specialties. Since J.W. Townsend, Inc. began in business, we have moved more than 500 large American Boxwoods ranging in size from 8-14' with an amazing success rate. This process takes time and is expensive, but is well worth the time and expense for plants that are truly "priceless."

Mulching

Without a doubt, preparing a new "V-ditch" edge and applying a fresh layer of mulch to your plant area will give you the most visible improvement for your dollar.

Reasons to Mulch:

•     Improves the appearance of your garden.
•     Helps the soil maintain moisture, by acting like a blanket, and slowing the sun and wind from drying out the soil.
•     Protects the soil and plant roots from extreme hot and cold temperatures. Like the insulation in your home, the mulch helps keep the soil cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, both of which are greatly appreciated by the root systems of your plants.
•     Provides weed control. A good layer of mulch helps keep down the number of germinating weeds in your garden by not allowing the weed seeds to contact the soil.
•     Improves the soil quality. Over time, the mulch will decompose and add organic matter to the soil.

The mulch we use is a high quality, double-shredded, hardwood mulch that has been aged to give it its dark brown color, and to insure no unsightly large pieces.