Landscaping Lawn Care Irrigation Landscape Lighting Mowing Sod Pruning Pine Straw Tree Planting Weed Control
Seasonal Tips for Beautiful, Vibrant Lawns, Plant Beds and Landscapes
January
- Mulch tender plants, such as pansy beds or emerging bulb foliage to protect from cold.
- Prune hardwood trees, but for early-blooming trees like Dogwoods and Cherries don't prune until after they bloom in the spring.
- Prune dead limbs and any vertical sprouts from fruit trees.
- Good time to plant or transplant shrubs and trees.
February
- Fertilize winter flowers such as pansies.
- Prune fruit trees prior to new growth and prune other dormant trees and crape myrtles.
- Apply crabgrass preventer to control grassy weeds in all types of lawns.
- Fertilize Fescue lawns.
- Prune deciduous shrubs (shrubs that shed seasonally) and roses.
- Treat Centipede lawns to kill existing weeds and to prevent new weeds from germinating.
- Apply herbicide to kill Wild Onions in lawn.
- Cut back liriope and other ornamental grasses.
March
- With the beginning of warmer weather, reseed Fescue lawns or put down seed in sparse or bare spots.
- In early March, apply a pre-emergent weed killer on established lawns to inhibit growth of summer weeds.
- Thin and transplant fall-sown annuals and biennials. Feed lightly with a balanced fertilizer.
- Can still prune roses if new growth has not emerged, then fertilize.
- Fertilize fescue lawns.
- Fertilize flower beds containing spring bulbs.
April
- Put out annuals, perennials and other bedding plants in mid to late April after last chance of frost. Add an application of balanced fertilizer.
- Plant Shrubs for late spring color.
- Fertilize Bermuda and Zoysia grasses.
- Begin setting out summer-flowering bulbs.
- Fertilize spring-flowering bulbs immediately after bloom.
- Plant summer annuals. Place Petunias, Geraniums and Marigolds in the sun and Impatiens, Begonias and Coleus in the shade.
- Prune and fertilize early spring shrubs like Azaleas, Forsythia and Weigela after blooming is complete.
- Treat for pests such as slugs and snails, especially after a cool, wet spring.
May
- Plant annuals and perennials.
- Fertilize Centipede lawns.
- Fertilize flower beds, shrubs and trees.
- Pinch back annuals to encourage thicker growth.
- Mulch flower beds to retain moisture, regulate soil temperature and help prevent weed growth.
- Seed warm weather grasses such as Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede.
- Fertilize roses to promote a second bloom.
- Fertilize azaleas when they finish blooming.
June
- Fertilize Bermuda lawns.
- Fertilize flower beds with bloom-enhancing blend.
- Plant Crape Myrtles and Hydrangeas.
- Watch for disease and harmful insects in lawn and plant beds and treat as necessary. Japanese Beetles flourish in June and July and prefer plants exposed to direct sunlight.
- Can still plant bulbs such as Dahlias, Tigridias, Cannas and Tuberoses.
- Prune junipers, yews, arborvitaes and hemlocks.
- Remove withered foliage of spring bulbs once it has completely died back.
- Be sure to keep weeds under control. Do not allow them to go to seed.
- Keep lawn and plant beds adequately watered during hot weather. A deep, thorough soaking once a week is more beneficial than a light, daily sprinkling.
July
- Mulch and water Azaleas, Rhododendrons and Camellias.
- Fertilize flower beds with with bloom-enhancing blend every two to four weeks.
- Put down Bermuda, Zoysia and Centipede sod. Keep sod well watered until roots are established.
- Continue to keep keep lawn and plant beds adequately watered during hot weather. A deep, thorough soaking once a week is more beneficial than a light, daily sprinkling.
- Fertilize Crape Myrtles, Butterfly Bushes and Hydrangeas.
- Continue watching for harmful insects in lawn and plant beds and treat as needed. Brown or dead spots in a lawn can be the result of underground grubs.
- Stake tall annuals and perennials to help them remain upright.
- Cut back Wisteria to promote blooming next year.
- Fertilize Azaleas for last time before next spring.
August
- Soak lawns and plants thoroughly during dry spells.
- Fertilize annuals every few weeks for continued bloom. Cut back long-stemmed annuals by half.
- Plant annuals like Zinnias and Petunias no later than early August for fall bloom.
- Watch for and treat Fire Ant mounds throughout the summer months.
- Continue to be on guard for insect pests and diseases.
- Fertilize roses to encourage flowers for the fall.
- Continue to keep weeds under control. Do not allow them to go to seed.
- Remove faded flowers from Crape Myrtles for a second bloom.
- Prune Hydrangeas after bloom.
September
- Plant perennials for fall color. Divide or transplant spring-blooming perennials.
- Fertilize existing Fescue lawns around mid month. Do Not fertilize Zoysia, Centipede or St. Augustine grasses.
- Apply a winter-proofing fertilizer to Bermuda grass lawns.
- Plant Fescue seed in late September or early October.
- Once temperatures cool down, replace warm season annuals with Pansies.
October
- Plant Fescue seed before mid month - then aerate and lime. Keep watered while seed is germinating.
- Plant Spring flowering bulbs and apply a light fertilizer.
- Divide overgrown patches of perennials, such as Hosta, Day Lilies or Daisies and replant excess.
- Plant for fall and winter color ( Pansies, Violas and Snapdragons).
- Plant and transplant shrubs.
- Good time to enrich the soil by adding organic soil conditioners and roto-tilling.
- Add vines and ground covers to the landscape.
November
- Plant Rye grass for a green winter lawn.
- Add plant food to Pansy beds.
- Plant balled and burlap wrapped trees and shrubs.
- Fertilize Fescue lawns about eight weeks after planting seed.
- Plant Camellias.
- Cut back faded perennials.
December
- Plant bulbs and tubers for spring blooms such as Daffodils, Hyacinths, Crocus and Tulips.
- Fertilize Pansies.
- Prune Evergreen plants.
- Plant woody vines like Wisteria, Jasmine and Cross Vine.
- Cut off dry stems and foliage of perennials that die back after the first frost.
- Plant trees now while they are dormant.
Professonal Lawn Care service for Residential and Commercial locations in Marietta, Smyrna, Vinings and Buckhead.
1380 Spring Street
Smyrna, GA 30080
Office: 770-435-6065
Cell: 770-363-1168
Fax: 770-435-5636
Member of the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association
(MALTA)