Here are some great tips to get your bed and planting season ready from our Landscape Specialist, Kim Holden:

1. Clean beds by removing weeds, leaves, sticks and debris.
2. Cut back perennials and grasses and divide as needed.
3. Remove dead wood from trees, shrubs and roses.
4. Cultivate compacted soil and mulch, apply a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent germination of weeds.
5. Edge beds and tree rings.
6. 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.
7. Remove winter tree wrap if applicable.
8. Have a licensed professional test your irrigation back flow and open your system.
9. Fertilize your lawn using organic based fertilizers
10. Plan now and make your list of the summer annuals you want. Remember to prepare your beds by tilling in good quality compost.
11. Apply a slow released granular fertilizer.
12. Now you are ready to go! Plant your annuals and perennials and enjoy your hard work!

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.