| Landscaping Tips by Season * Spring * Summer * Fall * Winter Spring (March – May) Trees and shrubs: • Prune trees • Prune rose bushes • Fertilize trees and shrubs • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary Lawns: • Clean-up all debris, Leaves and sticks • Apply pre-emergent weed control over entire lawn • Apply post-emergent weed-control as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed Planted beds (softscapes): • Apply a fresh layer of mulch to beds • Remove weeds, sticks, debris, etc., from planted areas • Apply pre-emergent weed control in planted areas • Apply post-emergent weed control as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Begin spring flower installation after the last frost, usually May 15th or later (annuals, perennials, herbs) • Maintain planted areas by deadheading flowers, weeding, and fertilizing as necessary Hardscapes, water features, irrigation systems, and outdoor lighting: • Reset automatic timers on outdoor lighting when Daylight Savings Time begins • Turn on and inspect irrigation systems after May 1st • Fill, treat, and open water features as necessary after May 1st • Check outdoor lighting fixtures for damage, replacing bulbs if necessary • Inspect hardscapes for any damage caused by winter weather, repairing as necessary Additional: • Finalize design and installation plans for this year’s landscaping projects • Finalize and sign maintenance contracts with a reputable landscape management firm Summer (June – August) Trees and shrubs: • Prune shrubs as necessary • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Prune azaleas and rhododendrons after blooming, prior to July 4th Lawns: • Apply slow-release turf fertilizer • Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Apply a lime application as needed • Complete spring flower installation by June 15th • Maintain flowers regularly by deadheading, weeding, and fertilizing as necessary • Apply post-emergent weed control as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary Hardscapes, water features, irrigation systems, and outdoor lighting: • Maintain water features by keeping them clear of debris and sustaining proper water. • Periodically inspect moisture content of separate zones for proper irrigation • Clean and treat hardscapes if necessary (paint, wood-treatment, etc.) • Begin thinking about and planning for next year’s landscape projects Fall (September – November) Trees and shrubs: • Fertilize trees and shrubs using a balanced fertilizer • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary Lawns: • Aerate, over-seed, and apply a slow-release fertilizer every season • Apply post-emergent weed-control as needed ...Timing with lawn seeding • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Mow, trim, and edge lawn areas as needed • Remove autumn leaves from lawns as necessary Planted beds (softscapes): • Remove leaves, weeds, sticks, debris, etc., from planted areas • Apply post-emergent weed control as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • Maintain flowers regularly by dead heading, weeding, and fertilizing as necessary • Install fall flowers (such as mums) from September 15th through October 15th. • Begin planting spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, crocus, etc.) • Dig up delicate bulbs for storage • Divide and/or transplant other perennials (daylilies, iris, etc.) Hardscapes, water features, irrigation systems, and outdoor lighting: • Turn off and “winterize” irrigation systems before the first freeze (by October 15th) • Drain and winterize water features (as necessary) before the first freeze (by October 15th) • Reset automatic timers on outdoor lighting when Daylight Savings Time ends • Inspect outdoor lighting fixtures, replacing bulbs if necessary Additional: • Begin the planning and designing phases for next year’s landscape projects by deciding upon an appropriate landscape design firm • Arrange for consultants with your landscape design firm to take measurements and survey current conditions before the ground is covered with snow • Finalize winter service contracts for snow removal, dormant-season pruning, etc. Winter (December – February) Trees and shrubs: • Prune trees as needed to shape and raise the undercarriage • Prune shrubs to allow for penetration of light and moisture • Apply dormant oil to shrubs to reduce problems with insects during the spring and summer • Apply post-emergent weed control as necessary. • Begin mulch applications toward winter’s end Lawns: • Apply coating of lime to warm season turf • Apply post-emergent weed-control as needed • Inspect for insects and disease, treating as necessary • After February 15th, apply pre-emergent weed control to entire lawn Planted beds (softscapes): • Remove leaves, weeds, sticks, debris, etc., from planted areas • Apply post-emergent weed control as needed • Cut back ornamental winter grasses as needed • Install spring bulbs by October 15th (before ground freezing) • Begin mulch application as weather permits • After February 15th, apply pre-emergent weed control Hardscapes, water features, irrigation systems, and outdoor lighting: • Keep walkways and driveways clear of snow and ice by contracting a dependable service Additional: • Continue planning and designing of next year’s landscaping projects • Begin making decisions about next year’s landscape management and maintenance contracts by collecting information and speaking with representatives from qualified landscape firms • Finish any wintertime home-improvement projects |
