LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

The following maintenance schedule is a checklist of annual gardening activities for the newly developed landscape. By attending to these matters at the proper time, a major portion of the maintenance will be preventive rather than remedial.

January & February

• If rainfall has been deficient, water lawns, trees and shrubs, especially any evergreens.
• Many ‘green’ winter weeds can be controlled now with Roundup as it won’t harm dormant Bermuda or Zoysia. 

March

• “Spring Clean-Up” – Remove weeds and debris from shrub and groundcover beds.
• Fertilize beds with bagged, composted products, or use either organic or conventional fertilizers.
• Add additional mulch to existing beds to help control weeds.
• Fertilizer cool season lawns such as Fescue or Ryegrass. Mow 2” to 2½” high with a sharp mower.
• Prune trees, shrubs (except spring bloomers, like Forsythia and Azaleas), Roses, Liriope and ornamental grasses before spring growth begi
• Begin planting cool-season vegetables — asparagus, onions, potatoes, salad greens and more.

April

• Fertilize Bermuda and Zoysia grass as green growth begins to emerge. See our Solution Center staff for help in determining which fertilizer is best for your situation. Mow to a height of 1”.
• Sow Fescue or Rye early in the month, whether establishing a new lawn or overseeding an existing one. Rake the soil with a hoe before reseeding and maintain even soil moisture for 7 to 10 days. Don’t let the grass grow taller than 3″ before the first mowing!
• Check new growth on shrubs, azaleas, roses & euonymus for aphids, scale or lacebug infestations. Control with horticultural oil or Neem.
• Trim winter damaged plants as necessary. Replace plants that did not survive the winter.
• Plant summer annuals in the middle of the month, depending on weather. Mulch beds with pine, cedar, or cypress mulch to control weeds and help conserve moisture.
• Continue planting perennials as well as trees and shrubs.  

May

• Prune and fertilize azaleas after the blooms drop. Spray for lacebugs and mealybugs with horticultural oil or Neem.
• Overseed with Bermuda or Zoysia grass after middle of the month.
• Continue planting anything that grows. 

June

• Fertilize warm-season lawns again.
• Continue checking for insects, especially grubs, in lawns and treat as necessary.
• If the weather does not cooperate, water new trees, shrubs and lawns thoroughly all summer. Water should be applied infrequently with enough per application to wet the soil to a depth of 6-8” (more for trees).
• Weed beds as necessary. Use a selective herbicide to kills weeds and grasses in established flower beds.  

July & August

• Continue mowing the lawn, raising the height to 2 ½” on Bermuda, 3 to 3 ½” on Fescue.
• Spot spray weeds in lawn as needed.
• Continue checking for insect infestations. Bring specimens to Southwood for diagnosis and recommendations.
• Liquid feed hanging baskets, patio pots, and bedding plants every two weeks. 

September & October

• Re-seed and fertilize cool season grasses.
• Fertilize Bermuda and Zoysia one last time.
• Replace summer annuals with pansies or chrysanthemums.
• Tulips, Hyacinths, and Daffodils are available late September. Plant after first frost.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs.
• Lightly prune roses and other summer flowering shrubs.  

November & December

• Replace trees and shrubs that did not survive the summer.
• Control existing broadleaf winter weeds such as dandelions. Visit Southwood for details.
• If rainfall has been deficient, water thoroughly (6-8” deep) prior to a freeze.
• Mulch or wrap tender plants to protect from freeze damage.
• Remove any support stakes around trees that have been in place for one growing season.
• Many perennials can be divided now.
• Plant fall bulbs before the end of December.