TIPS & ADVICE
Your Calendar Of Landscape Maintenance Tasks
We’ve put together a task list for those with a green thumb who need a little guidance.
Late Winter/Early Spring
(January – Early April)
Preparation: Gather your seed, spring and summer bulb lists, and any necessary equipment for the upcoming growing season. Order early for the best selection and availability from suppliers.
Pruning & Maintenance:
Prune fruit trees (late February/early March).
Begin seedlings indoors, checking seed packages for frost-free dates. In the 1000 Islands area, the usual frost-free date varies from May 15th near the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario to May 24th inland.
Uncover winter protection from evergreens, roses, and other plants as temperatures rise above zero during the day. Reapply any anti-desiccant sprays if used instead of burlap.
Apply lime sulphur and dormant oil to trees and shrubs susceptible to overwintering insects; ensure it dries properly to be effective.
Prune summer-flowering shrubs to control height and size.
Remove remaining debris from perennial beds as snow melts.
Lawn Care Planning: Begin planning your lawn care program by identifying requirements for when the snow melts, including aeration, rolling, fertilization, and overseeding. Familiarize yourself with any changes in provincial legislation related to lawn care.
Late Spring/Early Summer
(Late April – June)
Pruning: Prune early spring flowering shrubs, such as Bridalwreath spirea, lilacs, and forsythia, after their blooms have faded.
Fertilization: Fertilize flower beds with granular fertilizer or compost.
Lawn Care:
Continue your lawn care program, including overseeding. If using a weed control fertilizer, ensure you understand its specific application guidelines to avoid interfering with overseeding.
Be aware that fertilizers containing corn gluten act as pre-emergent weed killers but can prevent grass seed from germinating. Follow the application instructions carefully, considering conditions like temperature and rainfall.
Weeding & Watering: Weeding diligently before mulching will reduce future weed pressure. Water plants only as needed, favouring shorter, more frequent watering sessions, using soaker hoses for efficiency.
Mulching & Maintenance: Mulch gardens to assist with weed control and moisture management. Deadhead spring bulbs and, as foliage allows, plant summer bulbs or annuals to fill spaces.
Enjoy Your Garden: Take time to relax and appreciate your garden, inviting friends for a glass of wine or enjoying a sunset!
Contact Thornbusch Landscaping: For any tasks you cannot or choose not to perform, or if you have questions, feel free to reach out to us.
Early Fall
(September – November)
Watering: If moisture has been lacking, water trees and shrubs to help their roots store moisture and create food reserves for dormancy.
Turf Care: Overseed and establish new turf areas as temperatures and rainfall become optimal.
Garden Rearrangement: Begin dividing perennials and rearranging gardens according to your personal tastes.
Shopping & Planning: Visit your local garden centre for fall mums, bulbs, and end-of-season sales. Gather seed lists and requirements for the next growing season. Make notes on desired changes for next year and projects to research over the winter.
Storing Plants: Move tender plants indoors and remove summer bulbs (like gladiolus, dahlias, and cannas) for storage in a cool, dry place.
Late Fall
(Late October – Early November)
Final Lawn Care: Cut grass one last time at a height of 2 to 2.5 inches to prevent snow mold and other winter turf diseases.
Winter Protection:
Wrap shrubs that need winter protection.
Spray an anti-desiccant emulsion on evergreen trees and shrubs to reduce winter transpiration.
Protect roses with soil or rose cones, and apply mulch as an extra protective layer wherever possible.
Continued Learning: Stay updated on gardening trends through reading, attending local horticultural society meetings, or listening to call-in programs.
Plan for Spring: Enjoy books and magazines to dream about spring. Consider attending CANADA BLOOMS in March at the Direct Energy Centre in Toronto.
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