Seasonal Tips for Beautiful, Vibrant Lawns, Plant Beds and Landscapes
January
Mulch tender plants, such as pansy beds or emerging bulb foliage to protect from cold.
Prune hardwood trees, but for early-blooming trees like Dogwoods and Cherries don't prune until after they bloom in the spring.
Prune dead limbs and any vertical sprouts from fruit trees.
Good time to plant or transplant shrubs and trees.
February
Fertilize winter flowers such as pansies.
Prune fruit trees prior to new growth and prune other dormant trees and crape myrtles.
Apply crabgrass preventer to control grassy weeds in all types of lawns.
Fertilize Fescue lawns.
Prune deciduous shrubs (shrubs that shed seasonally) and roses.
Treat Centipede lawns to kill existing weeds and to prevent new weeds from germinating.
Apply herbicide to kill Wild Onions in lawn.
Cut back liriope and other ornamental grasses.
March
With the beginning of warmer weather, reseed Fescue lawns or put down seed in sparse or bare spots.
In early March, apply a pre-emergent weed killer on established lawns to inhibit growth of summer weeds.
Thin and transplant fall-sown annuals and biennials. Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer.
Can still prune roses if new growth has not emerged, then fertilize.
Fertilize fescue lawns.
Fertilize flower beds containing spring bulbs.
April
Put out annuals, perennials and other bedding plants in mid to late April after last chance of frost. Add an application of balanced fertilizer.
Plant Shrubs for late spring color.
Fertilize Bermuda and Zoysia grasses.
Begin setting out summer-flowering bulbs.
Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs immediately after bloom.
Plant summer annuals. Place Petunias, Geraniums and Marigolds in the sun and Impatiens, Begonias and Coleus in the shade.
Prune and fertilize early spring shrubs like Azaleas, Forsythia and Weigela after blooming is complete.
Treat for pests such as slugs and snails, especially after a cool, wet spring.
May
Plant annuals and perennials.
Fertilize Centipede lawns.
Fertilize flower beds, shrubs and trees.
Pinch back annuals to encourage thicker growth.
Mulch flower beds to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and help prevent weed growth.
Seed warm weather grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede.
Fertilize roses to promote a second bloom.
Fertilize azaleas when they finish blooming.
June
Fertilize Bermuda lawns.
Fertilize flower beds with bloom-enhancing blend.
Plant Crape Myrtles and Hydrangeas.
Watch for disease and harmful insects in lawn and plant beds and treat as necessary. Japanese Beetles flourish in June and July and prefer plants exposed to direct sunlight.
Can still plant bulbs such as Dahlias, Tigridias, Cannas and Tuberoses.
Prune junipers, yews, arborvitaes and hemlocks.
Remove withered foliage of spring bulbs once it has completely died back.
Be sure to keep weeds under control. Do not allow them to go to seed.
Keep lawn and plant beds adequately watered during hot weather. A deep, thorough soaking once a week is more beneficial than a light, daily sprinkling.
July
Mulch and water Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias.
Fertilize flower beds with with bloom-enhancing blend every two to four weeks.
Put down Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede sod. Keep sod well watered until roots are established.
Continue to keep keep lawn and plant beds adequately watered during hot weather. A deep, thorough soaking once a week is more beneficial than a light, daily sprinkling.
Fertilize Crape Myrtles, Butterfly Bushes and Hydrangeas.
Continue watching for harmful insects in lawn and plant beds and treat as needed. Brown or dead spots in a lawn can be the result of underground grubs.
Stake tall annuals and perennials to help them remain upright.
Cut back Wisteria to promote blooming next year.
Fertilize Azaleas for last time before next spring.
August
Soak lawns and plants thoroughly during dry spells.
Fertilize annuals every few weeks for continued bloom. Cut back long-stemmed annuals by half.
Plant annuals like Zinnias and Petunias no later than early August for fall bloom.
Watch for and treat Fire Ant mounds throughout the summer months.
Continue to be on guard for insect pests and diseases.
Fertilize roses to encourage flowers for the fall.
Continue to keep weeds under control. Do not allow them to go to seed.
Remove faded flowers from Crape Myrtles for a second bloom.
Prune Hydrangeas after bloom.
September
Plant perennials for fall color. Divide or transplant spring-blooming perennials.
Fertilize existing Fescue lawns around mid month. Do Not fertilize Zoysia, Centipede or St. Augustine grasses.
Apply a winter-proofing fertilizer to Bermuda grass lawns.
Plant Fescue seed in late September or early October.
Once temperatures cool down, replace warm season annuals with Pansies.
October
Plant Fescue seed before mid month - then aerate and lime. Keep watered while seed is germinating.
Plant Spring flowering bulbs and apply a light fertilizer.
Divide overgrown patches of perennials, such as Hosta, Day Lilies or Daisies and replant excess.
Plant for fall and winter color ( Pansies, Violas and Snapdragons).
Plant and transplant shrubs.
Good time to enrich the soil by adding organic soil conditioners and roto-tilling.
Add vines and ground covers to the landscape.
November
Plant Rye grass for a green winter lawn.
Add plant food to Pansy beds.
Plant balled and burlap wrapped trees and shrubs.
Fertilize Fescue lawns about eight weeks after planting seed.
Plant Camellias.
Cut back faded perennials.
December
Plant bulbs and tubers for spring blooms such as Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocus and Tulips.
Fertilize Pansies.
Prune Evergreen plants.
Plant woody vines like Wisteria, Jasmine and Cross Vine.
Cut off dry stems and foliage of perennials that die back after the first frost.
