Garden Care Guide

Coast Redwood Care

Sequoia sempervirens

The tallest tree in the world, native to California's cool, foggy and rainy coasts. Izmir's hot, dry and calcareous conditions are fatal for this tree; it can be attempted only by experts, in a sheltered, partially shaded spot, in acidic soils and with constant generous irrigation/misting.

Half-hardy · -15 °C / 5 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Not needed if the winter rains are sufficient. If it is in a pot, the soil should stay moist.
  • Pruning: It needs almost no pruning; just remove the lowest dead or broken branches.
  • General care: Cover the root zone thickly with an acidic mulch such as pine needles or rhododendron compost.
  • Pests & diseases: Root rot (if drainage is poor) is the biggest risk.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
February
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water with enough lime-free water to keep the soil moist.
  • Fertilizing: Prepare to apply slow-release fertilizer for acid-loving (ericaceous) plants, and do not overapply.
  • Pruning: It does not need formative pruning and its top should not be cut. Only remove dry, broken, and diseased branches.
  • General care: For new plantings, use only a mixture of acidic peat and rich compost.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.
March
  • Watering: Begin watering with lime-free water (rainwater is ideal); the soil should stay moist (30-40 L per week); reduce if it rains.
  • Fertilizing: Apply the special fertilizer for acid-loving plants (containing iron sulfate) at the label rate. If chlorosis (yellowing) appears, apply iron chelate, and do not overapply.
  • Plant protection: Check the newly emerging shoots.
  • General care: Renew the acidic mulch layer.
  • Pests & diseases: Yellowing of the needles is the first sign of alkaline soil or water.
  • Frost risk: Late frosts can damage young shoots.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Fertilizing: If necessary, support once a month with an acidic liquid fertilizer; do not overfeed.
  • General care: New shoots lengthen. It should be in a spot protected from the afternoon sun.
  • Pests & diseases: Chlorosis is the biggest problem.
May
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • Fertilizing: Continue fertilizing.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Watch for signs of disease.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Under heat and drought stress, it becomes very susceptible to spider mite damage.
  • General care: Make sure the plant is protected from harsh afternoon sun, for example with shade cloth.
  • Pests & diseases: Scorching, browning, and dropping of needles are signs of stress from heat, dry air, and low humidity.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • General care: Keep it in a position sheltered from midday sun; scorching at the leaf edges is a sign of burn.
  • Pests & diseases: Maintain the mulch to keep the roots cool.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply 3-4 times a week, early in the morning. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm. Frequent shallow watering pulls the roots to the surface.
  • Plant protection: Continue checking for spider mites.
  • Pests & diseases: Monitor the plant closely for signs of stress.
  • Frost risk: Protect from the scorching sun.
September
  • Watering: Water 2-3 times a week. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: Preparing for dormancy.
  • Pests & diseases: Assess the overall health of the tree that was stressed during the summer. Needle drop is not normal.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water 1-2 times a week.
  • Fertilizing: If there is a chlorosis problem, a final iron chelate application can be made; do not overdo it.
  • General care: General cleaning.
November
  • Watering: Not needed if the winter rains have started; if it is in a pot, keep the soil slightly moist.
  • Pruning: Remove only dead branches.
  • General care: Thicken the acidic mulch layer for winter protection.
December
  • Pruning: Remove only dead branches.
  • General care: Evergreen leaves continue to lose water in winter. Water thoroughly once before the soil freezes.
  • Pests & diseases: Be careful about the risk of root rot.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -15 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

Want reminders for every plant in your garden? Our garden-care app with monthly task lists and frost alerts is currently available in Turkish; the English version is on the way.

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