January:
- On a warm day, check the soil moisture around boxwood and holly, these plants tend to dry out through the winter and can sometimes use a supplemental watering.
- Plan for spring and summer, start saving pictures and catalogs for ideas.
- Perform soil test on turf areas and problem plant bed areas.
- Cut back Liriope and other ornamental grasses.
February:
- Cut back ornamental grasses.
- Do dormant pruning of woody shrubs and trees.
- Prune suckers from the base of ornamental trees, roses, and shrubs.
- Tune-up lawn mower and have the blades sharpened before the rush.
- Force branches of spring flowering shrubs indoors.
- Have irrigation system reviewed and repaired as needed.
March:
- Clean up any landscape debris that may have accumulated over the winter.
- Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to all planting areas.
- Prune shrub roses, removing a third of the oldest canes. Cut back most plants to approximately 15-18” from the ground.
- Apply a dormant oil spray to woody shrubs and trees to kill any overwintering insect eggs and larvae.
- Fertilize woody shrubs and trees after the soil temperature has reached 40° F.
- Apply a pre-emerge herbicide to all turf grasses to control spring/summer weeds.
- Monitor Pansies/Violets for Aphids. Treat with general use insecticide.
April:
- Apply a slow release fertilizer, such as Osmocote, to perennial planting areas.
- Cut back any perennials that may have been missed last fall.
- Apply a soil acidifier (Holly-tone or Soil Sulpher) around the base of acid loving holly and boxwood.
- If additional mulch needs to be applied to planting areas, be sure not to exceed a 4” layer.
- Watch for Aphids on tender shoots of perennials and new growth of some woody shrubs and trees.
- Divide perennials, this can be done effectively through the end of May.
- Scalp warm season turf grasses to 1 to 2”
- Plant annuals after the last chance of frost have passed.
May:
- Install new perennials.
- Bagworm larvae will be emerging from any remaining sac-like structures hanging on evergreens such as Arborvitae, Spruce, and Juniper. This is the only time of year that sprays can be effective, the remainder of the year, the bags need to be removed and destroyed.
- Cut back any mums that have returned from last year by half
- Plant vegetable gardens.
June:
- Spray any weeds that may have popped up with a non-selective herbicide.
- Allow bulb foliage to completely yellow and then cut the foliage back to the ground.
- Prune any spring-flowering shrubs and trees as needed.
- Treat emerging Japanese Beetles with general use insecticides.
- Apply a second application of pre-emerge herbicide to cool season turf grasses.
- Spend time in your garden with your family, pets or relaxing by yourself.
July:
- Deadhead spent perennial and annual blossoms to encourage re-blooming
- Cut back fall blooming perennials by 1/3 to prevent the need for staking and to delay bloom.
- Watering: Water deeply and well, rather than shallow and often.
- Monitor turf grass areas for grubs. Treat accordingly with insecticide.
August:
- Order fall bulbs.
- Look for areas to add color with late-blooming Perennials, Mums, or Pansies.
- Monitor evergreens and other landscape plants for spider mite and aphid activity.
- Hand prune and destroy bagworms, fall bagworms, and tent caterpillars.
- Monitor Oak trees from emerging Oak caterpillars. Treat with general use insecticide.
September:
- Monitor soil moisture levels through December.
- Divide Hosta and Daylilies.
- Begin fall lawn seeding projects after September 15th through the end of October.
October:
- Cut back perennials after hard frost.
- Plant fall color in high visibility areas, pansies and violas are a great choice for late season color.
- Start planning for next year’s vegetable garden.
- Leaf Clean-up.
- Apply pre-emerge herbicide to warm season turf grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia to prevent winter weeds.
- Apply complete fertilizer to all cool season turf grasses (Fescue, Rye).
November:
- Top dress perennial beds with leaf compost.
- Water evergreens late in the month to prepare them for winter, if the fall has been dry.
- Drain and store hoses for the winter.
- Firm leaf clean-up.
- Fertilize Pansies/Violas with liquid fertilizer.
December:
- Prune evergreens and holly; use the cuttings for holiday decorating.
- Make sure soil moisture levels are sufficient to get plantings through the winter.
- Turn off outside water faucets to prevent freezing through the winter.
- Begin re-mulching plant bed areas with fresh baled pine straw.
- Plant spring flowering bulbs.
- Final application of complete fertilizer to all cool season turf grasses (Fescue, Rye)
- Winterize irrigation systems.
