If ground is not frozen, turn garden soil to expose insect eggs and break up heavy soil

Water lawn, trees, shrubs and perennials once a month throughout the winter, preferably in the morning when temperatures are above 45 degrees

Make sure hoses are disconnected, drained and stored against winter freezing after each  watering

Apply dormant spray to help control over-wintering insects and diseases on deciduous trees and shrubs—no need to spray in no insects or diseases were a problem the past season

Check stored bulbs to make sure they are not sprouting or rotting

Gently shake or brush snow off the branches of evergreens and shrubs

Stay off frozen grass as much as possible

Use sand or kitty-litter on icy sidewalks or driveway—salt or chemicals are harmful to concrete and surrounding plants including lawns

Mist houseplants, or run a humidifier, against winter heating that dries interiors of homes

Reduce the amount of watering to houseplants as the days become shorter

Sponge off glossy-leaved houseplants to allow them to breathe

Most importantly, have a happy and safe holiday season 

Cut branches from the Christmas tree and use boughs to cover perennials, bulbs and roses in the garden

Check to make sure mulch is still covering plants

Apply dormant oil to help control over-wintering insects and disease problems when temperatures are above 40 degrees

Check stored bulbs for signs of dryness or rotting

Water lawn,  trees, shrubs and perennials once a month if rain and snow amounts are light—preferably around mid-morning when temperature are above 45 degrees

Make sure hoses are disconnected, drained and stored against winter freezing after each watering

Gentle shake or brush snow off the branches of evergreens and shrubs

Use sand or kitty-litter on icy sidewalks or driveway—salt or chemicals are harmful to concrete and surrounding plants including lawns

Check houseplants for insects

Mist houseplants against winter heating which dries interiors of homes

Sponge off glossy-leaved houseplants to allow them to breathe

Slightly cut back on the amount of water houseplants are given

Clean and repair (and sharpen if necessary) garden tools—make note of which tools need to be replaced

Using Phelan Garden’s Landscape Design Packet, begin planning your spring and summer plantings—call for a design consultation appointment 

 Water lawn,  trees, shrubs and perennials once a month if rain and snow amounts are light—preferably around mid-morning when temperature are above 45 degrees

Make sure hoses are disconnected, drained and stored against winter freezing after each watering

If ground is workable, turn soil to expose insect eggs

Stay off of drought-stressed frozen grass as much as possible

Place a little compost or a thick layer of mulch over tender new growth on plants to protect from freezing temperatures yet to come

Prune and spray dormant fruit trees to ward off Apply dormant oil to help control over-wintering insects or disease problems such as scale or aspen black spot—when temperatures are above 40 degrees

Trim any branches damaged by winter snow or wind

Thin or prune overgrown shrubs or those that bloom in the summer or fall (NOT spring bloomers like lilacs, quince, forsythia, or most spireas)

Prune fruit-bearing vines when temperatures are above 35 degrees to promote bushy vines that will bear more fruit

Use sand or kitty-litter on icy sidewalks or driveway—salt or chemicals are harmful to concrete and surrounding plants including lawns

Check stored bulbs to make sure they haven’t sprouted or rotted

Sow seeds indoors for annuals and vegetables—middle to end of the month

Mist houseplants against winter heating which dries interiors of homes

Wash or replace plant saucers to get rid of salt buildup

Using Phelan Garden’s Landscape Design Packet, begin planning your spring and summer plantings—call for a design consultation appointment 

Phelan Garden’s Spring Tips 

Prune summer only flowering shrubs to shape the plant and open the center to good air circulation—i.e. butterfly bushes and blue mist spirea

Divide or move perennials until they begin to show new growth

Thin out climbing roses to get rid of last years’ tangled growth

Transplant roses or plant bare-root roses toward the end of the month

Remove dead wood on deciduous trees and shrubs and brown branches from evergreens

Transplant any dormant trees and shrubs you wish to move

Fertilize trees and shrubs towards end of the month and water well 

Fertilize bulbs that were planted in the fall with a balanced 5-5-5 fertilizer

Clean debris from garden beds--gradually pull mulch back from perennials as plants show signs of new growth

Fertilize perennials as soon as new growth appears

Prepare vegetable garden soil for planting by turning the soil and adding well-rotted or processed manure, peat moss or compost

Sow cool-weather vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, carrots and radishes toward the end of the month

Rake leaves and fallen fruit accumulated over the winter from the yard

Apply a pre-emergent herbicide to the lawn if weed or crabgrass problems exist

Cut back ornamental grasses to the base of the plant before green begins to re-appear

Fertilize containers of annuals that were over-wintered indoors

Begin increasing the frequency of watering to all vegetation if spring snows are lacking—infrequent but deep watering is best

Brush snow from trees and shrubs as heavy spring snows can damage limbs

Clean, repair and sharpen or replace all garden tools—including the lawn mower

Turn compost pile

Begin implementing plan for additions or modifications to current landscape

Repot root-bound houseplants and clean leaves with a water solution to improve respiration

Fertilize houseplants  

Remove winter tree wrap from small trees by the middle of the month

Plant cold hardy annuals and vegetables such as pansies, primroses, snapdragons, dianthus, lettuce, peas, radishes and spinach

Over 2 to 4 weeks, gradually push back extra mulch put on to protect the plants over the winter

Core aerate the lawn and fertilize about mid-April

Re-seed thin areas of the lawn following aeration and fertilizing

Prepare soil for new beds by adding compost and turning the soil –remove any early weeds

Divide fall-blooming perennials

Cut back spring bulbs only after leaves have turned yellow and withered even though blooms may be long gone

Plant new shrubs, trees and hardy perennials in late April, but protect them from late frosts and snow

Add to mulch around trees, shrubs and perennials as needed for 2” – 4” base, but keep it away from the crown of the plant to avoid water or insect damage

Do preventive spraying of trees and shrubs

Plant summer-flowering bulbs toward the end of the month

Plant ground covers

Continue to thin out dead or old, overgrown shrubs by pruning no more than 1/3 of oldest canes from the base

Remove dead canes or wood from roses

Fertilize deciduous trees and shrubs and water deeply

Start up irrigation system and test for problems—make sure all spaghetti lines on drip system are still functioning—be prepared to drain system on nights forecast to be below freezing

Plant raspberries, strawberries and currents but protect these from frost

Increase amount of water to houseplants as days become longer and warmer 

May General Gardening Hints

Begin planting tender vegetation (i.e. impatiens, geraniums, salvia, zinnias, marigolds, lobelia) after the 15^th of the month—average last frost day

Set out any plants sowed from seeds indoors after threat of frost is over

Plant ornamental grasses and perennials

Overseed or sod thin or dead areas of the lawn –- fertilize again around Memorial Day

Mow lawn to a 2”-2 ½” length during the spring

Plant containers with annuals and / or herbs

Plant tomatoes and peppers from transplants at the end of the month Deadhead spring blooming plants to encourage additional blooms

Plant summer bulbs like dahlias, lilies and gladiolas

Plant climbing vines

Fertilize rose bushes with a 5-10-5 mix—fertilize once a month until mid-August

Add mulch (2 – 4”) to gardens to conserve water and cut down on weeding

Begin summer watering schedule by turning on sprinkler system—water deeply but infrequently in the early morning or evening

Prune lilacs after they finish blooming

Remove any blooms that appear from fall blooming plants such as mums and asters so they will become bushy and bloom more in the fall

Keep weeds and insects in check so neither will overrun the yard

Plant pumpkin and melon seeds so they will ripen in the fall

Check all outdoor plants for insects and treat if necessary

Plant warm-weather vegetables such as corn, zucchini, beans and tomatoes after last frost

Begin to dead-head annuals and spring perennials to keep them blooming all summer or for at least a second time

Add to and turn compost pile at least every two weeks during the growing season

Divide and take cuttings from houseplants 

Phelan Garden’s Summer Tips 

Deadhead flowers as they fade to promote additional blooms

Fertilize annuals and perennials

Set lawn mower at 3” and cut only about 1/3^rd of the growth each time you mow the lawn

Treat pet stains on lawn with a good drink of water

Mulch flower beds at a depth of 2” – 4” to prevent moisture evaporation in the soil and cut down on weeds

Divide spring bulbs as foliage dies

Continue to plant annuals and perennials in bare spots in your landscape

Monitor landscape for disease, insects and weeds and take early intervention

Water vegetation thoroughly two to three days per week in the early morning hours or late in the evening to conserve water—1 ½” per week

Add to and turn compost pile at least every two weeks during the growing season

Increase the amount of water to houseplants during hot and dry weather

Fertilize houseplants

Mow grass 3 to 3/1/2” high to shade roots, retain soil moisture and cut down on the growth of weeds

Sharpen lawn mower blade

Water the lawn deeply and allow soils to dry between watering to promote deep root development—about 2” per week

Fertilize lawn around July 4^th if temperatures are expected to be below 90 degrees for several days—this fertilization can be skipped during periods of high temperatures and drought  

Mulch gardens 2” to 4” thick to retain moisture and protect plants during the heat of the day

Deadhead annuals and perennials to promote additional blooms

If annuals are becoming leggy, cut back stems by half to renew vigor and restore shape

Fertilize roses and deadhead spent blooms—watch for and treat powdery mildew

Harvest vegetable crops as the become ready

Weed landscape by hand unless totally out of control rather than using chemicals which may harm neighboring plants 

To control aphids, spider mites, thrips, and whiteflies try blasting the stems and the leaves with a strong jet of water before considering pesticides

Hanging baskets and containers may need extra water during periods of high temperatures—even up to twice a day if wind also exists

Add to and turn compost pile at least every two weeks during the growing season

Watch that houseplants are not in direct sun to protect tender leaves from burning 

Begin to select and cut flowers, grasses and leaves you want to dry for winter arrangements

Continue to deadhead spent blooms an annuals and perennials to promote additional flowers

Stop deadheading roses so they can harden off and form rose hips

Divide and transplant peonies towards the end of the month

Discontinue fertilizing trees, shrubs and roses until next spring

Plan locations for planting spring blooming bulbs

Core aerate lawn from late August to early September if

Check the lawn for stressed areas on south or western exposures—may need more water during hot periods

Harvest vegetables as they ripen

Continue to weed by hand whenever possible limiting the use of chemicals

Replant cool season vegetables such as lettuce and spinach for fall harvesting

Add to and turn compost pile at least every two weeks during the growing season

Take pictures of your landscape so that when you begin to plan for next season you can be reminded of what did, and didn’t, work this season—also places to fill in with other plants 

Phelan Garden’s Fall Tips

Replace tender flowers damaged by frost with fall-blooming aster, mums, and pansies

Plant or relocate hardy trees and shrubs

Divide and transplant overcrowded clumps of spring and summer blooming perennials and then mulch for the winter

Water plants, shrubs and trees deeply twice a month until the ground freezes

Drain sprinkler system and hoses on nights that are forecast to be below freezing

Purchase spring bulbs to be planted in October

Plant perennials and groundcovers toward the beginning of the month

Collect and save seeds to spread next spring

Stop deadheading and let rose hips form on rose bushes

Reseed parts of lawn that need it

Harvest and dry herbs

Watch for frost predictions and cover plants with bed sheets, blankets or newspapers—do NOT use plastic

Bring houseplants back indoors before first frost—check for insects and treat 

Plant spring flowering bulbs by mid October

Continue watering plants, shrubs and trees deeply twice a month until the ground freezes

Lift and store tender summer blooming bulbs such as dahlias and gladioli

Winterize pond and irrigation systems

Compost tree leaves and other organic debris

Harvest cabbage, carrots, potatoes, onions, lettuce and spinach after first frost

Till in annual and vegetable gardens by the end of October

Seed wildflower garden for spring blooming

Rack or mulch leaves on the lawn—use collected leaves to mulch flower beds for the winter

Wrap young trees with tree wrap to prevent injury at the end of October

Mulch shrubs and roses or put “collars” around roses to protect bud union from frost

Mow lawn for the last time and apply winterizer fertilizer  

Compost tree leaves and other organic debris

Cut back perennials so they will bloom better next season

Mulch around plants to protect against deep freezes

Till in annual and vegetable gardens—add organic matter from compost pile which will break down by next spring

Wrap young trees with tree wrap ASAP

Begin winter watering schedule—everything watered with a good drink at least once per month in the morning when temps are above 45 degrees

Use sand or kitty-litter on icy sidewalks or driveway—salt or chemicals are harmful to concrete and surrounding plants including lawns

Clean and store garden tools and lawn mower

Evaluate your landscape while the past season is still fresh in your memory—make notes on plants / areas to change next season

Reduce the amount of watering to houseplants as the days become shorter