Seasonal Suggestions - 2012

January

This is the time of year to cut back perennials & remove summer annuals. Perennials need to be cut back and debris removed from the garden to prevent disease. Be mindful of temps when cutting back plants

Seasonal Suggestions - 2011

January & February:

Indoor plants benefit from less water this time of year - water once a week. Direct hot air flow onto indoor plants causes leaves to dry out and become damaged. Cooler temps are also good for most tropicals.

October - December:

It is important to water any new plantings. It's time to cut back catmint so it will rebloom in Fall. Salvias and other perennials should be deadheaded. Any Clematis' that have finished blooming can be pruned now.

Seasonal Suggestions - 2010

January & February:

Winter weather is here! Wet snow on conifer limbs can cause breakage. This can ruin a beautiful conifer. Simply take a broom & gently sweep the snow off the limb as much as possible.

March:

This month we should clean-up from a tough winter.  Picking up limbs & pruning limbs that didn't totally break.  Make clean pruning cuts when at all possible.  Badly damaged trees should just be removed.

April:

Spring cleanup should be either underway or just beginning. Cut back all perennials left up for the winter. Be careful when raking or mulching that you don't mistakenly damage any bulbs coming up.

June & July:

Due to the excess snow and early rains, weeds have gone crazy. This time of year it's important to get them under control either with herbicides or hand weeding. It's important to get them before they flower & go to seed.

August - December:

Water, Water, Water - especially with the high temps. All new plants from this Spring should be watered well. Staking tall plants & deadheading annuals & perennials are two things that should be done this month.

Seasonal Suggestions - 2009

January:

During heavy snows – make sure you keep the heavy snow off the evergreen trees so to prevent limbs from breaking off. Use a small broom to gently knock off the snow. Heavy banging can also break limbs if it’s cold out.

February:

Cutting back ornamental grasses. You can cut them all the way back to the ground.

March:

You can start to cut back perennials that were left up all winter. Also, time to remove fall annuals if possible.

April:

Finish up spring clean-up & add mulch to protect the ground & plants. If you are going to make bed design changes this is a good time to start.

May:

When the frost free date has come & gone, go ahead and plant annuals for summer color. Do not forget to water them. Good month to also add any new perennials or shrubs to your landscape.

June:

This is when one should really be on top of the weeds. The more weeds are controlled at this time, the fewer weeds later down the road. Both hand weeding and spraying are essential to keeping the beds clean.

July:

In the heat of the summer keeping plants watered is extremely important. Especially if planted this spring or last fall. Keep annuals & perennials deadheaded to keep them flowering & fertilize the annuals.

September:

It’s late summer which signals the time of year to deadhead perennials. This process is important in encouraging new buds to form and the plant to keep flowering. Dead heading is also important to prevent seedheads from forming.

October:

October is a great month to start cutting back perennials for the winter.  Start by cutting back the perennials that look ratty.  If any of these plants are staked-remove stakes.  Most perennials can be cut to the ground.