Having a house with a yard and a garden is a double-edged sword: on the one hand, you get to relax after a long day of work or on weekends, but on the other hand, you have to take care of it, to keep its appearance and functionality. Not all people who decide to move from a block of flats to a house realize what this change means and how much time it will all take. However, complicated periods such as the pandemic have shown that nothing compares to the joy of having your own space, where you can enjoy the outdoors freely.
Moreover, many of those who own a garden enjoy taking care of it and seeing the fruits of their labor, both literally and figuratively. Even if you are just starting this activity or have a long experience, it never hurts to take a look at the gardener’s annual schedule of tasks. This is why, by reading the article further, you’ll find out our suggestions when it comes to preparing, maintaining & general tasks in your own “oasis of peace” in front or back of the house:
January
– preparation (seed starting, which can reduce plant costs);
February
– pruning fruit trees & grapes;
– applying dormant oil on fruit trees;
March
– planting vegetable seeds and/or plants;
– getting rid of moles;
– uncovering perennials & roses;
– applying crabgrass preventers & pre-emergent herbicides;
– cutting/pruning grasses, perennials, and shrubs;
– fertilizing shrubs, perennials, and lawns;
– applying dormant sprays;
April
– planting cool season annuals;
– moving & dividing perennials;
– vegetable gardening;
– fertilizing bulbs in bloom;
– lawn care (weed control, aeration);
May
– pruning spring-flowering shrubs;
– controlling mites & bagworms emergence on evergreens;
June
– controlling mites & bagworms emergence on shrubs;
– pruning spring-flowering shrubs;
July
– starting fall vegetable gardening;
August
– planting fall vegetables;
– fertilizing/pruning shrubs (at the latest this month);
– fall lawn renovation (weed control);
– deep watering (during hot & dry days, this ensures quality blooms next year);
September
– lawn repair (reseeding, aerating, feeding the lawn);
– planting certain types of trees & shrubs;
– planting pansies & garlic;
– broadleaf weed control;
– controlling borers in trees;
October
– planting spring-flowering bulbs;
– moving plants indoors;
– planting a cover crop in the vegetable garden;
– planting certain trees & shrubs;
– weed control on the lawn;
November
– pruning trees (when they’re dormant);
– protecting tree trunks for the winter;
– mulching (to reduce or even eliminate winter damage);
– protecting evergreens from winter damage;
– applying winterizer on the lawn;
– cleaning the vegetable garden (which makes spring planting much easier);
December
– pruning evergreens (you can even use the cut greens for holiday decorating).
In conclusion, now you know, in general, what needs to be done every month, so that your garden with flowers, trees, and vegetables looks perfect all year round. Indeed, we’re talking about a considerable effort, but the results are worth it, not to mention your satisfaction, as well as your family’s. Good luck!