Landscaping Calendar

January and February

Trees and Shrubs:
Shrubs that flower in spring should be pruned immediately after the blossoming period. However, flowers that bloom in summer may be pruned in winter. The general thumb rule for pruning is to cut out dead branches, branches that are intertwined and those that create friction or are likely to rub against each other.

Indoor Plants:
Plants growing outdoors do not face any dearth of sunlight. However, this is not the case for plants that are kept indoors. Therefore, it is a good practice to keep the windows open during daytime to let the sunlight in. Another advantage of doing so is the warmth that sunlight creates inside your home which reduces your dependency on other heating mechanisms.

Increase the available humidity for plants by placing them upon rocks with a water filled tray at the bottom. When plants are dry to touch, water them. However, remember to drain out excess water from the bottom to avoid overwatering your plants.

Landscape Planning:
The beginning of the year is the perfect time to plan your landscaping ideas for the year ahead. Give us a call for assistance in designing or installation of landscaping solutions.

March

Perennials and Groundcovers:
Spring bulbs need to be protected from damage when they emerge. In order to do so, remove all the rubble from your grass beds, trim ornamental grass to 6.12” and cut back perennials to 3.4”. Fix back any perennials that may have been dislodged due to the freeze thaw in your garden. Old established perennials usually do not need this to be done. Trim back all the other perennials that were held for winter interest.

Trees and Shrubs:
Do away with any tree stakes that are older than a year. Tighten stalks and remove wrap from new trees.

Other Landscaping Tasks:
Get rid of any rubble from the grass beds. Scrape up existing mulch and add more if need to get a depth of at least 2-3”. Take care not to unsettle perennials that emerge late. Check up on the turf and plants for any pests or diseases. See our list of landscaping services we offer.

April

Perennials and Groundcovers:
New growth is just about to begin. Hence, it is essential that you apply a good, balanced granular fertilizer viz. 10-10-10, 13-13-13 or something similar. Micronutrient based iron and sulfur fertilizers are beneficial to your plants. Be careful to keep fertilizer away from lawn areas and avoid application when foliage is wet. Weed the lawn if needed. Dig out and divide perennials that are already established.

Trees and Shrubs:
Apply a good quality granular fertilizer like 20-10-10 or a water soluble soil injection to shrubs and trees in the first week of April. Read manufacturer’s instructions carefully to understand the method of application. Protect your lawn from fertilizers and do not apply when foliage is wet as it can damage the foliage.

Lawn Maintenance:
Increase top soil in depleted sections. Overseed areas where the grass has become thinner. Ensure that you use the same mixture as the current lawn and use 3-4 pounds for every thousand square feet. A seed starter fertilizer is recommended at this stage. Avoid application of crabgrass preventive formula in lawn areas. Trim grass on a weekly basis to keep it at 2.5-3”. In case the rainfall is high, you may need to decrease watering with sprinklers. Learn more about our full-service lawn care services.

May and June

Lawns:
Monitor the moisture level of the soil and irrigate if necessary. 1” of water per week is recommended. Continue application of granular fertilizer a second time with minimum 1 pound of nitrogen per thousand square feet. Check for broadleaf growth and treat if necessary.

Trees and Shrubs:
Crabapple, Dogwood, Pear and Magnolias need to be clipped. Remove water sprouts and suckers that may have grown on trees.

Pest & Bug Control:
There are chances of green caterpillars consuming the leaves of your shrub roses. The infestation usually starts around mother’s day and can be controlled using liquid Sevin. Pines, especially Mugos need to be checked for Sawfly larvae. Use an organic Bt spray or liquid sevin to get rid of them.

Other Landscaping Tasks:
Check your plants and turf for pests and plant diseases. The first phase of growth requires extra care to ensure regular watering for new plants. In case the season is dry, you will also need to water established plant material. Weed out beds as necessary.

July

Water is extremely important for newly planted material. Inspect the moisture levels of the plant root area before watering. Increase the frequency of inspection during periods of elevated temperature or high wind. 1 inch of rainfall equals one watering.

Lawns:
Keep lawns cut to around 3″ to protect from mid-summer heat.

Bugs:
Check plants for pest and diseases especially Japanese Beetles.

August and September

Lawn Maintenance:
Apply a granular fertilizer to the lawn. Use at least 0.5 to 0.75 pounds of nitrogen for every thousand square feet. Ensure 1 inch of watering every week. Seed grass for fall at the rate of 5 pounds per thousand square feet. Overseed at the rate of 3-4 pounds per square feet from 15th August to 15th September.

Keep watering your plants and lawn if needed!

October and November

Lawns:
Trim back grass to 2.5 to 3 inches. If you have some extra time, you can also apply 10-18-10 fertilizer to help with late season root growth. The recommended dosage is 1 – 1.25 pounds of nitrogen for every thousand square feet.

Shrubs and Trees:
Continue watering broadleaf and evergreens until the ground is frozen. When the temperature goes above freezing, spread some anti-desiccant to newly sown Yews and Boxwood. Spread fertilizer to shrubs and trees before new growth starts appearing in early April or post leaf drop. Apply either a granular 20-10-10 fertilizer or water soluble soil injection to trees and shrub to ensure their good health. Read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully about the method and duration of fertilizer application. It is recommended that you use a minimum of 1.25 lbs. of nitrogen for every thousand square feet of root area. Avoid application when the foliage is wet as contact with the same can damage it.

Fall Cleanup:
November is a good time to trim foliage of perennials. However, you need not do it if they have winter interest. Clear out leaves until snowfall. Click here to learn more about our fall clean-up services.

Other Landscaping Tasks:
Check pests and diseases on turf and plants. Clean up leaves from beds and lawn. Be careful about protection of plants from the salt used on walkways to prevent harm. Also don’t forget to call us for Christmas light installation.

December

Lawns:
Clear the turf of leaves otherwise there is risk of matting and damage to the lawn. Keep an eye on leaf drop from trees that light pile up on the turf from your own or the neighbor’s trees.

Mower Maintenance:
Ready up your moving equipment for the spring season. Appropriate storage, cleanup and maintenance of mowing equipment is essential to ensure an early start in spring. You should empty the gas tank, clear up the deck, sharpen blades, change oil and test the spark plug to ensure everything is in working condition.