Garden Answers

Annual Garden Checklist

January     •     February     •     March     •     April
May     •     June     •     July     •     August
September     •     October     •     November     •     December

January

• Continue to monitor water on trees and shrubs. Water as needed.
• It's a gardener's time to plan for next year's garden. We have many resources to help. Check out our bookrack for ideas for a dream garden.

February

Treat trees with dormant oil spray toward the end of the month before buds begin to burst.

March

• Plant potted trees and shrubs, including roses as soon as the ground thaws enough to dig.
• Trim back all summer-flowering shrubs.
• Prune trees, if necessary.
• Begin applying pre-emergents when the Forsythia blooms to control weeds.
• Prep annual and veggie gardens and amend soils.
• Plant cool-season vegetable plants and seeds in mid-March: potatoes, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, peas, cabbage, brussel sprouts, spinach, radishes, carrots, lettuces.
• Seed warm-season veggies to sprout indoors in late March.

Back to the top.

April

• Plant hardy perennials like delphiniums, daylilies, peonies, coneflowers and many others.
• Aerate lawn with core aerator.
• Apply pre-emergent herbicide for late-germinating annual weeds, like spurge. Reapply for chickweed, foxtail, and crabgrass.
• Amend flower and vegetable beds before planting by incorporating decomposed organic matter like compost, soil pep, aged manure, or peat moss into the soil.
• Remove tree wrap.
• Plant summer bulbs: gladiolus, caladiums, cannas, anemones, ranunculus.
• Prune roses when buds 12" from the soil level have pushed out 1-2 inches - generally, the first week of April.
• Apply first treatment for shade tree and evergreen tree borers around April 1st using Hi-Yield 38 PLUS.
• Fertilize lawns when water is available and new growth is evident.
• Apply chelated iron to iron-deficient shrubs and trees that showed symptoms last year when new leaves emerge.
• Plant hardy annuals, like pansies, primrose, and snapdragons.
• Prune ornamental plants to remove dead, diseased, damaged, or badly placed branches.
• Seed a new lawn.

Back to the top.

May

• Danger of frost is over by Mother's Day weekend, plant annuals like petunias, marigolds, portulaca, and many more in beds and containers.
• Plant summer vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, melons, and squash.
• Release lady bugs and praying mantis in areas with aphids.
• Put water plants out like water hyacinth, water lilies, and parrot feather.
• Check clematis vines and tie up, if necessary. Feed them as well.
• Fertilize flowers before it gets too hot.
• Fertilize your lawn, if it wasn't done in April.
• Spray cherry trees starting May 20 and continuing every seven to ten days until harvest to prevent Western Cherry Fruit Flies.
• Stay ahead of weeds with broadleaf killers, grass killers, and non-specific Killz-All.

Back to the top.

June

• Drench around peach trees with Hi-Yield 38 Plus or spinosad to prevent peach tree borer.
• For apple trees, start spraying fruit with alternating sprays of 38 Plus and spinosad when it is about the size of a marble and continue every seven to ten days until harvest to prevent coddling moth infesting the apples.
• If using Spinosad for shade tree borers, continue spraying every three weeks until the middle part of June.
• Keep your pond free of algae by using Pond Balance.
• If you may have a problem with white grubs, apply Advanced Season-long Grub Control.
• Stay ahead of weeds with broadleaf killers, grass killers, and non-specific Killz-All.
• Be prepared to spray your Pinon pines with Hi-Yield 38 Plus on July 1st.

Back to the top.

July

• Apply second treatment for shade tree and evergreen tree borers using Hi-Yield 38 PLUS.
• Water consistently to avoid stressing lawn. Check moisture levels of soils to determine watering schedule.
• Spruce up flower beds by adding annuals to fill mid-season "holes" in color.
• Feed roses monthly using Fertilome Rose Food during this peak time of growth.
• Check for spider mites on roses. Treat now!
• Remove withered flowers from perennials and annuals (deadhead) to extend bloom and to keep the plant looking good.
• Yellow leaves with green veins usually mean iron deficiency. Treat with chelated iron.
• Look for tomato hornworms early in the morning on your tomato plants. Hand pick (no kidding!) and discard. It is so gratifying to squash the little monsters!
• Monitor garden plants for insect and disease problems. Early intervention brings best results.
• Fertilize vegetable garden once a month with Bookcliff Gardens Choice Vegetable Fertilizer or Miracle Gro, 2 to 4 times each month.
• Treat roses with systemic insect killer or Bayer Advanced Garden Rose and Flower Insect Killer for thrip infestation. Spray 2 or 3 times at one week intervals.
• Feed perennials with Miracle Gro twice a month or sprinkle the bed with Bookcliff Gardens Choice Pro Turf Food every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
• Check lawn for yellow-brown patches that spread quickly. Bring in a 12" square of the lawn to Bookcliff Gardens for a diagnosis and recommended treatment. Be sure to bring in some soil with the grass. Don't worry; we'll give the sample back, so you can plug it back into your lawn.
• Be on the lookout for squash bugs on your squash, cucumber, or melon plants!
• Check peaches for readiness to harvest. If juice runs to chin on first bite, it's time to pick! Yum!

Back to the top.

August

• Water consistently to avoid stressing lawn. Check moisture levels of soils to determine watering schedule.
• Treat spider mites with Kelthane, Orthene, or Insecticidal Soaps. Apply 3 sprays at one week intervals.
• Fertilize vegetable garden once a month with Bookcliff Gardens Choice Vegetable Fertilizer or Miracle Gro, 2 to 4 times each month.
• Treat lawn with Weed Free Zone to control spurge and bindweed. Spray 3 or 4 times at 10 day intervals.
• Prune suckers from the base and trunk of trees.
• Treat roses with Ortho systemic insect killer or Bayer Rose and Flower Insect Control for thrip infestation. Spray 2 or 3 times at one week intervals.
• Seed radishes, spinach, and lettuce from middle to late August for a fall crop.
• Feed perennials with Miracle Gro twice a month or sprinkle the bed with Bookcliff Gardens Choice Pro Turf Food every 6 to 8 weeks during the growing season.
• Don't get fainthearted in the struggle against coddling moth on your apple trees. Keep spraying with permethrin (every 14 days) or spinosad (every 7-10 days).
• No blossoms on geraniums or petunias? Treat with Ortho systemic insect killer or Bayer Rose and Flower Insect Control weekly.
• Divide and replant irises and daylilies late in the month.

Back to the top.

September

• Treat lawn with Fertilome Weed Free Zone to control spurge, bindweed, or other broadleaf weeds.
• Plant broccoli and cauliflower seedlings.
• Seed radishes, spinach, and lettuce in early September for a fall crop.
• Spot treat now for white grub with Bayer 24 Hour Grub Control in the lawn. Apply twice, one week apart. Water in well after applying.
• Keep spraying for coddling moth with Bonide Vegetable, Fruit, and Flower Spray, Spinosad, or Sevin every 7-10 days until harvest.
• No blossoms on geraniums or petunias? Treat with Bayer Rose and Flower Insect Control, Ortho Orthenex, or Ortho Systemic Insect Killer weekly to control budworms.
• Divide and replant peonies.
• Plant pansies, mums, and snapdragons for fall color.
• This is the best time of the year to start a lawn. Sow a new lawn or lay sod.
• Plant trees and shrubs. Cool temperature and warm soil make the time ideal.
• Lift and divide crowded perennials. Amend soil with organic matter before replanting.
• Plant bulbs from late-September to mid-November.
• If the lawn hasn't been fertilized recently, feed in early September with Bookcliff Gardens Professional Turf Food. Otherwise, wait until later in the fall to feed your lawn with a winterizing application.

Back to the top.

October

• Apply last treatment for Ips bark beetle on Pinyon Pine using Hi-Yield 38 PLUS.
• Plant pansies and mums for fall color.
• Apply winterizing fertilizer, using Bookcliff Garden's Choice Winterizer anytime during October. Water well after applying.
• Plant trees and shrubs. Cool temperature and warm soil make the time ideal.
• Use Hi-Yield Crabgrass Control to prevent germination of cheatgrass. Water in well after application.
• Mulch perennial and strawberry beds with 2 to 3 inches of mulch after the ground starts to freeze. Use cedar bark, straw, or chopped leaves.
• Plant amaryllis in containers in mid to late October for spectacular blooms during the holiday season.
• Lift and divide crowded perennials. Amend soil with organic matter before replanting.
• Remove leaf debris from lawn.
• Plant bulbs from late-September to mid-November.
• Cut back perennials when they die down after the first hard freeze.
• Winterize sprinkler system by blowing out all water with an air compressor.
• Divide rhubarb after first killing frost for improved production.
• Plant hardneck garlic now.
• Prepare vegetable garden for next year by removing debris before spreading a 1-inch layer of decomposed organic matter and rototilling in well.

Back to the top.

November

• Continue to monitor water on trees and shrubs. Water as needed.
• Wrap trunks of young trees to prevent winter sun scald injury.
• Start a backyard compost pile with shredded leaf and garden debris gathered this fall.
• Clean, sharpen, and oil garden tools before storing away for the season.
• Remove leaf debris from surface of ponds. To catch leaves, stretch a net over the surface of the pond.
• Winterize concrete fountains before water can to freeze in it..
• Check stored spring bulbs occasionally. Remove rotting bulbs. If dahlia bulbs are dry and shriveling, give them a light spray of water.
• Mulch pansies against winter drying and water through winter as needed.
• Fertilize houseplants monthly with a soluble fertilizer like Miracle Gro. Be careful not to over water. Shorter days and slower growth mean houseplants require less water.

Back to the top.

December

• Rake up and remove leaf debris from the lawn.
• Mulch perennials after the ground is frozen.
• Mulch roses well after ground is frozen.
• Heavy snow buildup can break limbs. Remove snow as needed.
• Continue to monitor water on trees and shrubs. Water as needed.
• Monitor houseplants for insect problems. Early intervention brings greater success. Let us help you identify and treat those pests. Bring a sample in a sealed plastic bag to Bookcliff Gardens.

Back to the top.

Bookcliff Gardens
(970) 242-7766
755 26 Road (North 1st at I-70) • Grand Junction, Colorado 81506
Ask the Expert
©2008, Bookcliff Gardens