Southwood | Time to Plant & Maintenance

Time to Plant

Know when and what to do

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.