Your yard has four distinct seasons of growth and maintenance. Tasks depend on the season and plant type. Here are checklists for lawns, trees/shrubs/groundcovers, flower/kitchen gardens, and hardscapes. Continue reading
Lawns: Spring
- Lightly fertilize after snow melt.
- Repair dead patches.
- Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control when forsythia blooms.
- Dethatch and aerate weak lawns.
Choosing the best grass type.
Lawns: Summer
- Mow regularly; leave clippings; remove only ⅓ height.
- Raise mowing height as summer progresses.
- Alternate mowing pattern.
- Water in morning; soak to 1 inch/week.
End-of-summer garden care.
Lawns: Fall
- Overseed new or thin lawns (mid-Oct in mild winters; mid-Sept in cold).
- Fertilize if not done.
- Rake leaves.
Fall lawn care secrets.
Lawns: Winter
- Light nitrogen in late winter if lawn stays green.
- Avoid walking on dormant/frozen grass; use sand/kitty litter instead of salt.
Lawn renovation tips.
Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers: Spring
- Remove winter trunk protection; replace mulch.
- Prune dead, broken, diseased branches.
- Prune summer-flowering shrubs.
- Rake, fertilize, groom groundcovers.
- Water new plants after dry winters.
- Remove dead shrubs/groundcovers.
Pruning shrubs tips | Planting trees/shrubs.
Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers: Summer
- Weed around trees; mulch 1–2 inches from trunks.
- Check for insects/diseases.
- Water new shrubs/trees weekly to 1 ft depth.
- Trim hedges after first growth flush.
- Deadhead flowers.
- Prune spring-blooming shrubs (lilacs) after flowering.
Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers: Fall
- Mulch and water newly planted conifers.
- Plant oak, holly, beautyberry.
- Clean up fallen fruit/leaves from fruit trees.
- Rake and compost leaves.
- Cut back roses to 1 ft and cover with soil (cold climates). Wrap tender roses in burlap, lay down, cover with soil/mulch.
Types of mulch.
Trees, Shrubs, Groundcovers: Winter
- Water new evergreens if rain/snow lacking.
- Plant bare-root roses ASAP.
- Prune fruit trees in late winter; spray dormant oil.
- Wrap trees with guards against rodents.
- Wrap tender foundation shrubs in burlap.
Tree wrapping advice.
Gardens: Spring
- Amend soil with organic matter.
- Plant cool-season flowers/vegetables.
- Remove old mulch; refresh.
- Prune and plant roses.
- Divide overcrowded perennials.
- Plant fruit trees/berries; fertilize weeks before bloom.
- Prune vines on arbors/trellises.
- Cut back yellowing spring bulb foliage.
Dividing perennials video | Rose planting tips.
Gardens: Summer
- Mulch beds as needed.
- Cut flowers/herbs morning; harvest veggies/fruit ripe.
- Prune fruit-bearing shrubs; replant strawberries after fruiting.
- Monitor insects/diseases.
- Water containers when dry.
- Fertilize flowers/vegetables monthly.
- Deadhead flowers.
- Train vines.
Stop Japanese beetles | Deadheading guide.
Gardens: Fall
- Cut back perennials to 6 inches.
- Dig and store non-hardy bulbs.
- Divide and replant overcrowded perennials.
- Plant cool-season annuals.
- Harvest vegetables before frost.
- Compost vegetable gardens.
- Plant spring-flowering bulbs.
Storing tender bulbs | Making compost.
Gardens: Winter
- Check stored bulbs; discard soft/rotten.
- Order spring seeds.
- Fertilize flowers in mild winters with fast-acting fertilizer.
Hardscape: Spring
- Clean/seal wooden decks.
- Move furniture out; clean/repaint.
- Repair paved cracks.
- Lubricate latches/hinges.
- Refresh gravel/mulch.
- Replace outdoor fixture wiring/bulbs.
- Tune/sharpen mower and pruning tools.
Deck refinishing | Sharpen mower blade.
Hardscape: Summer
- Clean tools after each use.
- Clean/repair cold frames.
- Weed between pavers; repair cracks.
- Paint/stain exteriors.
Hardscape: Fall
- Continue cleaning tools.
- Run gas mowers dry or add stabilizer.
- Drain water systems/pools/ponds (cool climates).
- Store hoses, furniture, tools.
Hardscape: Winter
- Repair broken arbors, etc.
- Organize tools.
- Check irrigation for cracks.
- Clear snow from decks, patios, walks.
- Repair stone/concrete walls as weather allows.
Organize garden shed | Regional monthly gardening tips.
