Monthly Tasks
For
all of our friends and visitors, we are pleased to share this annual
calendar of garden tasks. Click on any month for helpful reminders.
January/February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November/December
January/February
Create garden designs and plans
Collect early flowering tree and shrub branches for indoor forcing
Check the condition of garden mulch
Assess winter plant damage
Send for seed and nursery catalogues
Save fireplace wood ashes as a source of garden potash
Initiate outdoor masonry projects
March
Clean and repair garden tools
Rake lawn to remove dead grass and debris
Evaluate landscape for good drainage
Assess winter plant damage
Have garden machines serviced
Prune perennials, roses and flowering vines
Shop for hard-to-find plants
Trim ornamental grasses
April
Schedule spring cleanup
Prepare vegetable and annual beds
Prune Roses
Selectively prune shrubs
Plant herbaceous perennials, roses, trees and shrubs
Divide Perennials
Start up automated irrigation programs
Set up peony hoops
Plant sprint annuals
May
Prune spring-flowering shrubs that have finished blooming
Fertilize roses
Plant window boxes and containers
Apply mulch to perennial beds and borders
Sow vegetable seeds outdoors
Deadhead spring bulbs
Overseed lawns
Plant summer annuals
Stake peonies
June
Fertilize roses and annuals
Prune privet and yews
Set houseplants outdoors in a protected area
Remove flower heads from spring bulbs
Prune spring flowering shrubs
Remove spent flowers from rhododendrons
July
Check irrigation systems
Dead-head annuals and perennials
Prune climbing roses after flowering to promote new growth
Plan spring bulb order
Fertilize annuals, container plants and roses
Divide and lift perennials
Apply summer mulch
August
Order bulbs for fall planting
Divide and lift perennials
Thatch lawn
Spot seed bare areas of lawn
Cut and dry flowers suitable for winter bouquets
Order and plant bearded iris
Change from summer to fall watering schedule at end of month
September
Order spring bulbs for fall planting
Order and plant bearded iris
Order autumn annuals
Change from summer to fall watering schedule at the end of month
Repair, seed and thatch lawns
Do NOT prune or fertilize trees or shrubs now
October
Plant spring flowering bulbs before first frost
Plant or transplant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs
Water evergreens thoroughly to prevent winter injury
Wait to winterize irrigation systems until Thanksgiving
Plant bulbs for indoor forcing
Bring houseplants in
Plant fall annuals
November/December
Clean out annuals and vegetable plants
Remove dead, diseased and broken branches from trees and shrubs
Cut back and mulch perennials
Start a compost pile
Clean and put away garden equipment for the winter
Plant winter containers
Transplant deciduous and evergreen trees
Rake up and remove fallen leaves to reduce insect and disease problems next year
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October 2008 Newsletter