Garden Calendar

We have developed a Garden Calendar, After Care Guide for New Plantings, and links to your local garden weather. There are differing guidelines for each climate and topography: from the mountains of Colorado to the coastal West.

January:

• Winter water if temperatures are above freezing
• Deep root water trees.
• Prune dead wood from trees and shrubs except maple, birch, and walnut trees.
• Prune summer flowering shrubs only.
• Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
• Plan next season’s flower gardens.
• Repair and sharpen tools.

February:

• Winter water if temperatures are above freezing
• Deep root water trees.
• Prune dead wood from trees and shrubs.
• Prune summer flowering shrubs only.
• Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
• Plan next season’s gardens.
• Repair and sharpen tools.
• Spray for spruce gall aphids.

March:

• Winter water if temperatures are above freezing.
• Deep root water trees.
• Prune dead wood from trees and shrubs.
• Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
• Cut back perennials and grasses before new growth appears.
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to flower/shrub beds.
• Spring Equinox.

April:

• Activate, check, and adjust irrigation system.
• Core, aerate and fertilize lawn.
• Begin lawn mowing if needed.
• Compost lawn clippings and garden greens.
• Remove winter tree wrap.
• Cut back Blue Mist Spirea and prune roses back to live wood.
• Remove mulch from crown of hybrid tea roses.
• Divide and relocate perennials.
• Top dress flower/shrub beds with compost.
• Renew bark mulch in flower/shrub beds.
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to flower/shrub beds.
• Apply crabgrass preventative.
• Fertilize trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers.
• Clean pond, check and clean pond skimmer.

May:

• Divide and relocate perennials.
• Compost lawn clippings and garden greens.
• Top dress flower/shrub beds with compost.
• Fertilize trees, shrubs, perennials, and roses.
• Renew bark mulch in flower/shrub beds.
• Plant summer bulbs.
• Plant annuals and vegetables after the last average frost.
• Pinch back the new candle growth on Mugo pines to maintain compact growth.
• Fertilize trees, shrubs, perennials and groundcovers.
• Remove spent blooms from spring bulbs.
• Weed while plants are small and before seed heads form.
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide to flower/shrub beds.
• Continue to check and clean pond skimmer every other week.

June:

• Prune spring flowering shrubs once flowers have faded.
• Deadhead perennials to maintain continued blooming.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Fertilize lawn again before hot weather.
• Weed while plants are small and before seed heads form.
• Check trees and shrubs for insect pests, especially mountain pine beetles.
• Continue to check and clean pond skimmer every other week.
• Continue to monitor irrigation system and adjust clock.
• Summer Solstice

July:

• Prune flowering shrubs once flowers have faded.
• Deadhead perennials to maintain continued blooming.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Check trees and shrubs for insect pests.
• Apply chemical weed control while plants are young.
• Continue to check and clean pond skimmer every other week.
• Continue to monitor irrigation system and adjust clock.

August:

• Prune flowering shrubs once flowers have faded.
• Deadhead perennials to maintain continued blooming.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Check trees and shrubs for insect pests.
• Apply chemical weed control while plants are young.
• Continue to check and clean pond skimmer every other week.
• Continue to monitor irrigation system and adjust clock.

September:

• Check trees and shrubs for insect pests.
• Deadhead perennials to maintain continued blooming.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Fertilize lawn again before winter.
• Continue to check and clean pond skimmer every other week.
• Continue to monitor irrigation system and adjust clock.
• Autumnal Equinox

October:

• Plant spring flowering bulbs.
• Divide and relocate perennials.
• Clean up leaves, remove dead annuals, and debris.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Use tree wrap on young trees to reduce sunscald.
• Winterize pond and other water features.
• Shut down, drain and winterize irrigation system. Blow out system if necessary.

November:

• Mow lawn one last time.
• Prune summer flowering shrubs only.
• Cut back dead perennials, but leave decorative seed
• heads for winter.
• Clean up leaves, remove dead annuals, and debris.
• Compost garden organic refuse.
• Mulch the crowns of hybrid tea roses.
• Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.

December:

• Winter water if temperatures are above freezing
• Deep root water trees.
• Prune dead wood from trees and shrubs.
• Remove heavy snow from trees and shrubs.
• Winter Solstice