Gardening Calendar

January:

Prune trees & shrubs.  Do not prune dogwoods, azaleas, redbuds, and flowering cherry & peach trees.

Fertilize the spring flowers such as crocus, tulips, and daffodils as soon as you see their green foliage.

Test soil & add what is lacking.

February: 

Plan when and where to plant spring arrivals.

Apply pre-emergent to your lawn if you have crabgrass.

Start plants that you want to grow from seed indoors.  Don't forget to water them!

March: 

Mulch around trees & beds

Prune roses between March 1-15th.

Mow liriope to cut the old foliage down to 2-3 inches in height.  Be careful not to cut the crown. 

As spring flowers such as tulips and narcissus begin to emerge, plant pansies between them for added color.

April:

Get lawn mower blades sharpened prior to the summer rush. 

Check for insects & disease and spray affected plants with horticultural oil when temps are above 45 degrees F.

Rake & apply seed to any bare lawn spots.

Don't mow the lawn until it is at least 2 inches tall. 

May: 

Cut the dead flower stems from spring bulbs, but leave the foliage.

If hostas have holes, check for and treat slugs with sand or wood ashes around the plants.

Dig & divide dusty miller and replant the outside portion of the plant.

June:

Deadhead perennials by pinching off spent blooms with your thumb and forefinger. 

Check tomatoes for hornworm.  If none, deliver some to your friend Windy.

When dead or damaged branches are found on shade trees, prune them out immediately.

July:

Set out tomato plants if you want a fall crop. 

Pick the yellow leaves off geraniums.

After blooming, snapdragons should be pinched back to produce a second bloom.

August: 

Order bulbs for fall plantings.

Pull weeds.

Cut dead stalks off daylillies when the last bud blooms.

Water beds once per week if there is no rain and lay mulch if needed.

September:

Plant fall veggies such as cabbage, broccoli, kale, spinach, and lettuces.

Labor Day weekend is an ideal time to reseed your fescue lawn. Fescue is the recommended grass in our region, and being in a "transitional zone" we can enjoy both the St. Augustine and Fescue. Talk to your local gardening store such as Mcdonald Garden Center or Atlantic Garden Center for the best plan for your soil and conditions. 

October: 

Plant trees, shrubs, and pansies.

Dig up and store caladium bulbs in shredded newspaper.

Clean up around your perennial flowers, such as rose and peony.  Leaves left on the ground can harbor diseases & provide convenient homes for pests.

November: 

Cut back and destroy all dead perennials and annuals. 

After chrysanthemums are killed by frost, cut them down in preparation for winter.  Apply a 2-3 inch layer of loose mulch after the ground has frozen.

December: 

When a freeze is expected, cover winter vegetable crops with cloth.

Fertilize trees.

Cut back dormant perennials to about 3 inches above ground. After the ground has frozen, plants can be mulched.

Rake leaves off the lawn.

Decorate for the holidays!!

Disclaimer:

Anyone who knows me, knows I do not have a green thumb.  All the above information was provided by The Virginian-Pilot and was provided herein as a convenience to you.