Here are some great tips to get your bed and planting season ready from our Landscape Specialist, Kim Holden:
- Clean beds by removing weeds, leaves, sticks and debris.
- Cut back perennials and grasses and divide as needed.
- Remove dead wood from trees, shrubs and roses.
- Cultivate compacted soil and mulch, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent germination of weeds.
- Edge beds and tree rings.
- Apply 2″ of mulch (never more than 3″) to landscape beds and tree rings. Keep mulch away from the base of woody trees and shrubs.
- Remove winter tree wrap if applicable.
- Have a licensed professional test your irrigation back flow and open your system.
- Fertilize your lawn using organic based fertilizers
- Plan now and make your list of the summer annuals you want. Remember to prepare your beds by tilling in good quality compost.
- Apply a slow released granular fertilizer.
- Now you are ready to go! Plant your annuals and perennials and enjoy your hard work!
Posted on August 8th, 2014 in Landscaping | 1 Comment »
Kim Holden, Landscape Specialist
- Cut back spent perennials 2-4” from the crown.
- Clean out weeds and annuals.
- Many annuals, perennials and ornamental grasses with seed heads provide a good food source for birds. Leave those over the winter and cut back in the spring.
- Rake up leaves around roses, peonies, fruit trees and other plants susceptible to powdery mildew and other pests and diseases that over winter on debris – Bag and discard, do NOT compost or use as mulch.
- Mulch your beds with shredded leaves after the ground freezes to protect your perennials from frost heaving.
- Plant spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils and hyacinth.
- Dig up tender bulbs such as dahlia, canna, gladiolus and elephant ear and store for the winter in a cool dry place around 50 degrees. An unheated basement, crawlspace or garage usually works well.
- Clean up your vegetable garden by removing weeds and debris.
- Divide spring blooming perennials.
- Water your trees, shrubs and perennials thoroughly before the ground freezes to avoid future damage.
- Clean your tools and apply a light layer of oil to prevent rusting over the winter.