GARDENERS MAINTENANCE GUIDE
JAN:
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Remulch areas that need protection
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If ground isn’t frozen, plant trees and shrubs that are dormant
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Clean out bird houses
FEB:
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Prune ornamentals
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Crape myrtles (ONLY IF REQUIRED, DO NOT MURDER)
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Roses to height of 8-18”, to outward facing bud
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Rose of Sharon
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Ornamental grasses: monkey grass, pampa, miscanthus, muhly, Liriope, Mondo grass
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Remove dead wood and damaged limbs from trees
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Prune non blooming evergreens: Photenias, boxwoods, holly
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Prune tropicals inside, fertilize and start watering more often
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Hibiscus
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Mandevilla
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Bougainvillea
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Apply dormant sprays to trees, shrubs, and perennial beds
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Apply pre-emergent for summer weeds
MAR:
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Control aphids with insecticidal soap
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Black spot on roses last year – spray weekly with Funginex
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Photinias leaf spot – spray with Daconil 2787 – 2 week intervals
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Hedges – Trim overgrown or uneven; base wider than top
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Cut back English ivy
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Fertilize pansies
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Fertilize boxwoods and camellias—camelias after they bloomed
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Mid March – apply super phosphate to iris, peonies & flower perennials
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Apply handful of aluminum sulfate per foot of plant around hydrangeas
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Add 1 cup of lime around each clematis
APR:
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Prune spring blooming shrubs after bloom
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Forsythia – remove 1/3 older, woodier canes at ground
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Flowering quince
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Spirea
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Fertilize lawn 2-3 weeks after it turns green with slow release fertilizer
MAY:
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Prune Azaleas after bloom and make first application fertilizer
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Fertilize roses with ½ cup of 12-6-8 every 4-6 weeks
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Fertilize spring bulbs after they bloom
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Plant summer blooms, like caladium and gladiolas
JUN:
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Prune dead wood or weak branches from crepe myrtles
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Cut back privet, photinia as needed
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Feed azalea, camellia & gardenia with acid forming fertilizer, 11-5-5
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Dig and divide overcrowded daffodils
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Plant daylilies and nasturtium
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Plant second crop of tomatoes for fall supply
JUL:
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Raise blade on lawn mower to shade roots
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Dead head roses and fertilize after each cycle of bloom
AUG:
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Plant mums
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Check azaleas for lace bugs – insecticidal soap top and undersides
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Check gardenias for whiteflies – Orthene, diazinon, malathion
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Euonymus – scale insects – spray with Orthene
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Prune evergreens so new growth matures before frost.
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Fertilize rhodendendron, azaleas and camellias w/aluminum phosphate
SEP:
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Divide iris
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Start planting daffodils
OCT:
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Divide and transplant perennials that bloom in spring & summer
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Camellia sasanqua bloom Oct – Jan
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Apply pre-emergent herbicide to lawn to prevent winter weeds
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Dig and store tender bulbs such as caladium, canna, elephant ears
NOV:
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Transplant trees and shrubs
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Plant pansies
DEC:
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Plant spring bulbs: daffodils, hyacinths, crocus, tulips
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Prune holly, cedars, magnolias and other evergreens