GARDENERS MAINTENANCE GUIDE

 

 

JAN:  

  • Remulch areas that need protection

  • If ground isn’t frozen, plant trees and shrubs that are dormant

  • Clean out bird houses

 

FEB:  

  • Prune ornamentals

  • Crape myrtles (ONLY IF REQUIRED, DO NOT MURDER)

  • Roses to height of 8-18”, to outward facing bud

  • Rose of Sharon

  • Ornamental grasses:  monkey grass, pampa, miscanthus, muhly, Liriope, Mondo grass

  • Remove dead wood and damaged limbs from trees

  • Prune non blooming evergreens:  Photenias, boxwoods, holly

  • Prune tropicals inside, fertilize and start watering more often

    • Hibiscus

    • Mandevilla

    • Bougainvillea

  • Apply dormant sprays to trees, shrubs, and perennial beds

  • Apply pre-emergent for summer weeds

 

MAR:  

  • Control aphids with insecticidal soap

  •  Black spot on roses last year – spray weekly with Funginex

  •  Photinias leaf spot – spray with Daconil 2787 – 2 week intervals

  •  Hedges – Trim overgrown or uneven; base wider than top

  •  Cut back English ivy

  •  Fertilize pansies

  •  Fertilize boxwoods and camellias—camelias after they bloomed

  •  Mid March – apply super phosphate to iris, peonies & flower perennials

  •  Apply handful of aluminum sulfate per foot of plant around hydrangeas

  •  Add 1 cup of lime around each clematis

 

APR:  

  • Prune spring blooming shrubs after bloom

  • Forsythia – remove 1/3 older, woodier canes at ground

  • Flowering quince

  • Spirea

  • Fertilize lawn 2-3 weeks after it turns green with slow release fertilizer

 

MAY:

  • Prune Azaleas after bloom and make first application fertilizer

  • Fertilize roses with ½ cup of 12-6-8 every 4-6 weeks

  • Fertilize spring bulbs after they bloom

  • Plant summer blooms, like caladium and gladiolas

 

JUN:  

  • Prune dead wood or weak branches from crepe myrtles

  • Cut back privet, photinia as needed

  • Feed azalea, camellia & gardenia with acid forming fertilizer, 11-5-5

  • Dig and divide overcrowded daffodils

  • Plant daylilies and nasturtium

  • Plant second crop of tomatoes for fall supply

 

JUL:  

  • Raise blade on lawn mower to shade roots

  • Dead head roses and fertilize after each cycle of bloom  

 

AUG:  

  • Plant mums

  • Check azaleas for lace bugs – insecticidal soap top and undersides

  • Check gardenias for whiteflies – Orthene, diazinon, malathion

  • Euonymus – scale insects – spray with Orthene

  • Prune evergreens so new growth matures before frost.

  • Fertilize rhodendendron, azaleas and camellias w/aluminum phosphate

 

SEP:  

  • Divide iris

  • Start planting daffodils

 

OCT:  

  • Divide and transplant perennials that bloom in spring & summer

  • Camellia sasanqua bloom Oct – Jan

  • Apply pre-emergent herbicide to lawn to prevent winter weeds

  • Dig and store tender bulbs such as caladium, canna, elephant ears

 

NOV:

  • Transplant trees and shrubs

  • Plant pansies

 

DEC:  

  • Plant spring bulbs:  daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, tulips

  • Prune holly, cedars, magnolias and other evergreens