Month-To-Month Garden & Lawn Care Checklist

Avoid over-watering grass and other plants to prevent fungal growth.

It takes a little bit of work each month to maintain a landscape that is manicured and healthy. Pruning, fertilization and watering are just some of the nurturing tasks --- and sometimes fun challenges --- that keep gardeners busy each season. A monthly checklist of tasks for the garden and lawn is a great way to organize your time and map out each season.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is a busy time for prepping the garden and caring for plants. Apply a balanced fertilizer to your lawn after grass resumes growth. Woody plants vary in their nutrient needs according to their placement in the landscape and maturity. In general, plants benefit from an application of a complete fertilizer --- such as 10-10-10 --- at least once a year. Ornamental plants placed near the lawn may already receive sufficient fertilizer, and more mature plants may require less fertilization than newly planted shrubs and trees. Spring is a great time to seed thin areas of the lawn, aerate compacted soil and apply post-emergent herbicides for control of summer weeds. The best time to prune azaleas, some hydrangea species and other plants that overwinter floral buds is just after spring flowering. As the weather warms, monitor your garden for pests and control large populations with horticultural oils.

Summer (June to August)

Depending on your location, the garden and lawn may require irrigation during the sultry months of summer. Provide about 1 inch of irrigation to your lawn per week as needed, according to the University of Missouri Extension. Too much water encourages fungal growth. Irrigate between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. to reduce disease occurrence and water waste. Mow lawns weekly in the summer, and leave clippings in place to replenish nutrients in the soil.

Fall (September to November)

After the colorful fall display, it's time to rake leaves. If they're left in place, thick layers of leaves will suffocate the lawn. Fertilize lawns and woody plants with a slow-release application of nitrogen in September and October. Fall is an important to time to prep your landscape for the arrival of frigid temperatures. A layer of mulch protects roots from extreme temperatures. Provide ample water to young shrubs and trees, especially evergreens, which continue to transpire during the winter and are unable to replenish lost water from frozen soils. Don't forget to dig up cold-tender bulbs from your garden and store them in a dry, cool environment during the winter.

Winter (December to February)

Late winter is a great time to prune certain shrubs and trees. Plants that bear flowers on the current season's growth, such as rose, hibiscus and crape myrtle, benefit from pruning prior to spring growth. The University of Florida suggests trimming shade trees such as oak and hickory in the winter when tissues are dormant or after initiation of spring growth. For southern regions, consider applying a preemergent weed killer to your lawn early in the year.

References

• University of Florida: Florida Gardening Calendar: North Florida
• University of Florida; Pruning Landscape Trees and Shrubs; Edward F. Gilman, et al.; 2005
• University of Missouri Extension; Cool-Season Grasses: Lawn Maintenance Calendar; Brad S. Fresenburg; 2010
• Colorado State University Extension; Lawn Care; T. Koski, et al.
• North Carolina State University; A Gardener's Guide to Fertilizing Trees and Shrubs; Erv Evans; 2000
• University of Vermont Extension; Protecting Trees and Shrubs From Cold; Leonard Perry