Gardener’s Calendar

General Spring Season Tips
  • Begin feeding bulbs with liquid fertilizer as they emerge from the ground.
  • Remove dead leaves from Hostas.
  • Prune summer flowering shrubs in early spring before new growth, since they usually bloom from new wood.
March
  • Finish dormant pruning of ornamental trees.
  • Remove black-knot swellings on plum, chokecherry, and cherry trees.
April
  • Remove Tree wrap from trees.
  • As weather allows, remove winter mulch from roses, perennials and bulbs.
  • Divide and replant overgrown perennials.
  • Prune hedges and summer flowering shrubs, i.e., Annabella Hydrangea, Currant and Potentilla. Check for winter snow damage and prune out broken branches.
  • Till flower and vegetable garden soil and add composted cow manure, peat moss or composted leaves.
  • Fertilize spring bulbs when foliage emerges.
  • Plant frost-tolerant pansies and Johnny-jump-ups for early spring color.
  • Apply fresh mulch around trees and shrubs for weed control.
  • Fertilize trees and shrubs with osmocote. We recommend slow release fertilizer.
  • Wait until the ground is frost free before removing mulch. If temperatures rise early in the season remove part of the mulch, but leave 2-3 inches.
  • Till or spade the soil deeply; if desired add a slow-release flower garden fertilizer.
  • Cut back ornamental grasses.
  • Remove rose cones.
May
  • Plant trees and shrubs as soon as the ground is dry enough for digging; late frost and snow will not hurt newly planted trees.
  • Apply crabgrass preventer to established lawns when night time temperature is 50 degrees 3 nights in a row.
  • Work fertilizer into vegetable and flower gardens before they are planted.
  • Mulch flower gardens to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth. Landsburg’s carries 10 different choices.
  • Install peony hoops. They can also be used on Annabelle Hydrangea.
  • Fertilize roses and begin weekly maintenance against blackspot and mildew.
  • Seed new lawns while nights are still cool and spring rains are on their way.
  • Protect gardens from deer browsing.
  • Control dandelions and creeping charlie by applying herbicide before seed heads are formed.
  • Plant tender bedding plants, geraniums, vegetables and bulbs after danger of frost is over.
  • Plant summer-blooming bulbs such as Dinnerplate Dahlias, Calla Lilies, Cannas and Gladiolas.
  • Apply pre-emergent weed control in shrub and planting beds. We recommend Treflan.
  • Remove accumulated leaves and debris from underneath evergreens and shrubs.
  • Prune forsythia, azaleas, and lilacs after they have flowered; all spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned right after flowering.
  • Begin apple-tree spray programs after blossoms drop. Stop in to Landsburg’s garden center for a free spray schedule.
  • Make sure freshly planted trees and shrubs are watered weekly, especially during dry periods. Continue to water through the season.
  • Prune mugho pines when new growth is fully grown and soft.
  • Fertilize established trees, evergreens, and shrubs. Start a fertilizer program.
  • Rake, overseed, and fertilize the lawn. Avoid applying crabgrass preventer to newly seeded areas. Seed new lawns while nights are still cool and the weather is wet.
General Summer Season Tips
  • Deadheading (removing faded flowers and seed heads) directs the plant’s energy to more flowering rather than to producing seeds. It’s especially recommended for annuals. Pinch back phlox, asters, and mums to make them more flower-productive.
  • Fertilizers are best applied to azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries in spring. We recommend Hollytone Acid Fertilzer.
  • Use grass clippings as mulch around flowers. Do not use those that have had herbicides applied.
  • Leave the last rose blossoms of summer to encourage dormancy.
  • Apply slow-release fertilizer in midsummer to provide good plant performance until frost.
June
  • Stake larger varieties of perennials such as delphiniums and lilies.
  • Begin leaf-spot control on tomato plants and stake young tomato plants; late-staking contributes to blossom end rot.
  • Tie climbing roses to trellises.
  • Perform last pinching of chrysanthemums to promote compact, bushy plants.
  • Do last picking of rhubarb at month’s end to allow roots to store energy for next season.
  • Mulch your garden after the soil has warmed up later in the month.
  • Fertilize lawns, flowers, and gardens, and continue weeding. Re-apply Treflan to perennial beds.
  • Prune and shape new growth on arborvitae, junipers, and yews.
  • Trim evergreens including junipers.
  • Prune pines, spruce, and fir trees mid month to 4th of July.
July
  • Remove spring bulb foliage as it browns.
  • If spring-flowering bulbs aren’t doing well, dig up bulbs after the foliage has died and divide.
  • Water, weed, fertilize, and harvest vegetables.
  • Before late summer, transplant and divide perennials.
  • Continue to water young trees and shrubs weekly.
  • Complete evergreen pruning before the end of the month to prevent winter injury.
August
  • Stop applying fertilizer to perennials, trees and shrubs on Aug. 15th.
  • Keep watering 1″ per week.
  • Deadhead annuals for more blooms.
  • Divide irises and day lilies.
General Fall Season Tips
  • Plant perennials trees and shrubs. Fall planting gives plants time to develop a strong root system. Cooler air temps during the day allow plants to develop strong root systems, and the ground is still warm from the summer sun.
  • Split and replant overgrown bulbs. Dig up the bulb after the foliage has died and allow it to dry thoroughly. After drying, bulbs can be split and replanted.
  • Cut perennials to the ground after hard frost and use foliage for compost.
  • Gather fallen leaves for mulch and compost use.
  • Dig summer-blooming bulbs after the first killing frost and save for next planting season. For example, Gladiolas, Dahlias, Cannas and Calla Lilies.
September
  • Take advantage of cool weather by planting trees, shrubs, and evergreens; use root-stimulating fertilizer to promote root growth.
  • Plant spring-flowering bulbs and work bone meal into bottom of planting holes for better growth.
  • Divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises.
  • Water young trees and shrubs.
  • Now is the best time to seed new lawn, patch bare spots, and install sod. There isn’t as much competition with weed seeds now. Do it before September 15.
  • Plant chrysanthemums,ornamental grasses, asters, and flowering kale for fall color.
  • Apply weed-killer and fertilizer for lawn care, but not to newly seeded areas.
October
  • Clean garden beds and work compost into soil for spring plantings.
  • Remove dead annuals and add them to compost.
  • Cover tender roses before temperatures dip below 25 degrees.
  • Rake and recycle leaves for better air circulation and lawn disease control.
  • Mow lawn until frost stops growth; tall matted grass encourages snow mold.
  • Wrap young and thin-barked trees, such as fruit trees, flowering crabapples and maples to protect against sunscald and animal damage.
  • Remove garden debris after the first frost to help minimize soil diseases and insects.
  • Fertilize apple and lilac trees with triple phosphate.
  • Apply mole and vole repellents.
  • Burlap evergreens including arborvitae and yews.
November
  • Early to mid-November, cover perennials with straw to protect the crowns of the plants from alternate freezing and thawing of late fall and early spring seasons.
  • Put down an inch of straw over shallow-rooted perennials to prevent frost heaving (plants being pushed out of soil by freezing temperatures).
  • Plant large shade trees.
General Winter Season Tips
  • Install hardware cloth or other fencing that extends above snow level to keep animals away.
  • Check perennials for signs of heaving; if this occurs, re-cover with mulch.
  • Oaks, honey locusts, crab apples, pears, mountain ash, and hawthorn are best pruned now.
  • Keep evergreens and shrubs free of heavy snow.
  • Determine what flowers and planting techniques worked last season and plan accordingly.