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Take a look at what to do these upcoming months
Gardener's Calendar
GENERAL SPRING SEASON TIPS
- Begin feeding bulbs with liquid fertilizer as they emerge from the ground.
- Remove dead leaves from Hostas.
- Prune summer-flowering shrubs in early spring before new growth, since they usually bloom from new wood.
MARCH
- Finish dormant pruning of ornamental trees.
- Remove black-knot swellings on plum, chokecherry, and cherry trees.
APRIL
- Remove Tree wrap from trees.
- As the weather allows, remove winter mulch from roses, perennials, and bulbs.
- Divide and replant overgrown perennials.
- Prune hedges and summer flowering shrubs, i.e., Annabella Hydrangea, Currant, and Potentilla. Check for winter snow damage and prune out broken branches.
- Till the flower and vegetable garden soil and add composted cow manure, peat moss, or composted leaves.
- Fertilize spring bulbs when foliage emerges.
- Plant frost-tolerant pansies and Johnny-jump-ups for early spring color.
- Apply fresh mulch around trees and shrubs for weed control.
- Fertilize trees and shrubs with Osmocote. We recommend slow-release fertilizer.
- Wait until the ground is frost-free before removing mulch. If temperatures rise early in the season, remove part of the mulch, but leave 2-3 inches.
- Till or spade the soil deeply; if desired, add a slow-release flower garden fertilizer.
- Cut back ornamental grasses.
- Remove rose cones.
MAY
- Plant trees and shrubs as soon as the ground is dry enough for digging; late frost and snow will not hurt newly planted trees.
- Apply crabgrass preventer to established lawns when nighttime temperature is 50 degrees for 3 nights in a row.
- Work fertilizer into vegetable and flower gardens before they are planted.
- Mulch flower gardens to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth. Landsburg’s carries 10 different choices.
- Install peony hoops. They can also be used on Annabelle Hydrangea.
- Fertilize roses and begin weekly maintenance against blackspot and mildew.
- Seed new lawns while nights are still cool and spring rains are on their way.
- Protect gardens from deer browsing.
- Control dandelions and creeping charlie by applying herbicide before seed heads are formed.
- Plant tender bedding plants, geraniums, vegetables, and bulbs after the danger of frost is over.
- Plant summer-blooming bulbs such as Dinnerplate Dahlias, Calla Lilies, Cannas, and Gladiolas.
- Apply pre-emergent weed control in shrub and planting beds. We recommend Treflan.
- Remove accumulated leaves and debris from underneath evergreens and shrubs.
- Prune forsythia, azaleas, and lilacs after they have flowered; all spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned right after flowering.
- Begin apple-tree spray programs after blossoms drop. Stop in to Landsburg’s garden center for a free spray schedule.
- Make sure freshly planted trees and shrubs are watered weekly, especially during dry periods. Continue to water through the season.
- Prune mugho pines when new growth is fully grown and soft.
- Fertilize established trees, evergreens, and shrubs. Start a fertilizer program.
- Rake, overseed, and fertilize the lawn. Avoid applying crabgrass preventer to newly seeded areas. Seed new lawns while nights are still cool and the weather is wet.