Seasonal Tips

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Spring: March, April, May

• Mulch beds early in season if not mulched in winter
• Broadcast a light application of 10-10-10 over perennial beds
• Sharpen lawn mower blades
• Lawn mowing should be done weekly with no more than 1/3 of the growth cut off at any one time. Set mowers to cut at 3 to 3 ½ inches
• Most spring-flowering shrubs can be cut back and fertilized afterflowering
• Deadhead perennials after flowering to extend bloom times in many species
• Apply pre-emergent to lawns early in March to prevent crabgrass invasion. Spray broadleaf weeds as they appear in lawn

Summer: June, July, August

• Finish pruning and fertilizing spring-flowering shrubs after blooming
• Second application of pre-emergent should be applied to lawn early in June
• Continue to spray broadleaf weeds as they appear in lawn
• A second light application of 10-10-10 over perennials along with deadheading when needed in mid-summer
• Look for insect infestation on plants and spray when needed
• Weed beds frequently to keep weeds from flowering and setting seed
• Water deeply and consistently throughout summer. At least 1 inch of water per week in 2 applications are advised

Fall: September, October, November, December

• Aerate and seed lawn any time from late August to late September/early October
• Fertilize lawn in September, October and November
• Continue to water throughout fall, especially evergreens and newly planted trees and shrubs, until weather cools and frost is common
• Cut back and clean up perennial gardens
• Any pruning of trees and shrubs should be done early in September. Pruning stimulates new growth which may be killed off by an early frost. It is not advisable to prune heavily after September
• Plant spring-flowering bulbs in November and early December
• Clean up leaves weekly, especially on newly seeded lawns

Winter: January, February

• Use a broom on shrub and tree branches to gently brush away snow. To keep the weight from breaking the limbs, use an upward motion on the branches when possible and avoid pushing down branches
• Clean up stray leaves on lawn surfaces
• Now is a good time to mulch, while perennials and bulbs are dormant and the beds are cleaned up. Mulch also helps protect plants from heaving out of the ground because of freezing and thawing, and protects the soil from drying out
• Prune evergreens, such as hollies and boxwoods, in February and fertilize. Crape myrtles also can be thinned at this time