Although everyone is always pleading for a "maintenance free garden," it just does not exist and probably never will. As long as you are dealing with living organisms, there will be diseases, pests, injuries and other things that will change or end their lives. Trees, shrubs, perennials and other ornamental landscape plants don't always grow the way we would prefer. Sometimes the weather doesn't cooperate. Therefore, we gardeners many have to do such things as irrigate, prune or otherwise put some effort into getting the plants to do our bidding.

Here is a partial list of common maintenance activities:

Note: We have provided some general information and observations on this topic aimed at the home gardener. Before you take any serious action in your landscape, check with your state's land grant university's Cooperative Extension Service for the most current, appropriate, localized recommendations.