         
| |
Garden Tips & Hints
- September
- Prepare
your beds for fall planting, working organic matter into the soil.
- October
- Divide and transplant early-blooming perennials.
- November
-
Finish
cleaning up the garden. Add winter
mulch after the ground has frozen.
- December
-
Plan to
mulch with evergreen branches at end of the month.
Leave brown foliage of ornamental grasses for winter interest.
- January
-
Check
your winter mulch, adding additional amounts if necessary. Old
Christmas tree branches help to prevent loose mulches from being scattered
by the wind.
- February
-
Look for
early-blooming bulbs like Galanthus (Snowdrops) and Eranthus (Winter Aconite),
and early plants like Hellborus (Christmas Rose).
- March
-
Cut
ornamental grasses to the ground at the end of the month.
- April
- Remove
all winter debris and remaining mulches. Watch for early signs of
disease or insect problems. Begin staking plants that will need
support.
- May
-
Sow seeds
if perennials outdoors, making sure the seedbed contains adequate organic
matter. Perennial and biennial
seeds can be planted through September.
- June
-
Pinch
chrysanthemums and similar plants to encourage side branch development.
Watch for slugs. Deadhead
and remove yellowed foliage from bulbs.
- July
- Watering
and weeding are major concerns; mulch will facilitate both. Soak the
garden, remove the weeds, and then mulch to retain moisture and reduce
weed-seed germination. Dig and divide bearded Irises.
- August
-
Cut back
perennials that have finished blooming,
but leave some foliage.
|