Landscape Calendar
Creating a beautiful lawn and landscape is the result of a partnership between RYAN and you. We have compiled this list of monthly action items for you to ensure great results. If you have any questions, or would like to partner with us, please contact us.
January
- If the weather is dry but above freezing, bring out your hose and water trees, shrubs and garden areas.
- Keep bird feeders filled.
- Consider using a heated bird bath.
February
- Tune up mower (if not done already.) Change the sparkplug, oil and filter. Also sharpen the blades.
- Mow ground cover plantings with mower on high setting. Do not bag clippings, leave them in the beds.
- Pull mulch back from pansies so their early spring blooms will brighten your landscape.
- If the weather is dry but above freezing, bring out your hose and water trees, shrubs and garden areas.
March
- Mow ground covers if you did not get it done in February.
- Water every 1 to 2 weeks if the weather has been dry.
- Call RYAN to turn on you automatic sprinkler system.
- Mow bluegrass and fescue lawns low the first time to remove brown leaves. Bag the clippings if necessary.
- Fill the birdbath.
- Cut back ornamental grasses. Begin cleaning up perennial beds.
April
- Scalp zoysia lawns on lowest mower setting and bag clippings after April 15th.
- Aerate bluegrass and fescue lawns now or in the fall. Call RYAN to schedule this service.
- Mow every 5 to 7 days; increase frequency as the lawn grows faster.
- Disease control begins on pines, crabapples and hawthorns. Call RYAN to begin this program.
- Finish cleaning up perennial beds.
- Add to perennial beds after the middle of the month.
- Divide perennials like hosta and daylilies if needed.
- Clean leaves and debris from downspouts and gutters.
May
- Mow bluegrass and fescue lawns every 4 to 5 days until growth slows. Do not bag clippings except on zoysia and bermuda lawns.
- Plant annual flowers and tomato plants after Mother’s Day.
- Mulch newly planted areas.
- Hummingbirds return. Clean feeders with warm soapy water and fill with nectar.
- Moniter scotch and mugo pines for sawfly. Larvae hatch in early May. Call RYAN if control is necessary.
- Water weekly if it is dry.
- Prune low hanging branches on trees after leaves emerge.
- If your lawn is a combination of zoysia and bluegrass, this is the month to aerate.
June
- Water your lawn following RYAN's watering recommendations. You can view them here.
- Water flowerbeds and lightly fertilize annual flowers.
- Aerate zoysia now. Mow zoysia at 1 to 1.5 inches.
- Sharpen mower blade again.
- Prune spring flowering shrubs. Thin deciduous shrubs if needed by removing one-third to one-fourth of the older, larger canes.
- Clean air conditioner coils by spraying coils with a soapy solution and using a forceful spray from your hose nozzle.
- RYAN puts preventive grub control on your lawn now.
July
- Water every 1 to 5 days, depending on the heat, to keep plants and lawn from drying out.
- Watch for disease spots in your lawn. Call RYAN to get on a disease control program.
- Weed flower beds regularly.
- Deadhead annual flowers to encourage blooming
August
- Moniter shrubs for mites and other insect and disease problems. Call RYAN for control program.
- Water all beds with 2 inches of water per week if natural rainfall is lacking.
- Inspect your lawn for seeding needs. Call RYAN for a seeding estimate.
September
- Seed your lawn now (if needed.) Remember to mow low and remove thatch if needed before seeding. Water daily for 3 weeks after seeding.
- Prepare new beds for planting in the spring. Consider adding natural mulched borders to your property.
- RYAN fertilizes the lawn with a high nitrogen fertilizer to help it recover from summer injury.
October
- Plant spring blooming bulbs like daffodils or tulips.
- Empty ornamental containers and store for the winter.
- Call RYAN to root feed trees and shrubs to promote plant health.
November
- Mulch perennials with leaves for winter protection.
- Fill bird feeders as needed.
- Mulch around pansies in November or December, before hard freezes hit.
December
- Mulch roses after the soil freezes.
- Review your landscape for winter color. Consider adding evergreens and plants that produce berries in the spring.