Gardening By Month

JANUARY

1.Plant bare root nursery stock, especially roses, pecans, and small fruit trees.
2.Continue to select and plant ornamental trees and shrubs to fill landscape needs. Always plan ahead before planting.
3. Seeds of most all spring annual flowers and vegetables can be sown indoors during January for later transplanting to the garden bed.
4. Be prepared to protect tender plants against a sudden severe cold snap. Water plants thoroughly if a hard freeze is predicted.
5. Keep the lawn free of fallen leaves to prevent smothering the grass.
6. All dormant season pruning can be done now through late February. Use proper tools, make cuts close and clean. Wait on pruning forsythia, spirea, gardenias, climbing roses, azaleas, camellias, and other spring flowering shrubs until after they bloom. Prune with a purpose, not because there's nothing else to do.
7. Apply dormant oil spray to control scale, and other hard-to-manage insect pests.
8. Prepare soil and beds for planting spring and summer annuals and perennials. Add peat moss, compost, or other organic materials, as needed.
9. This is the best month to prune oak trees to reduce possible spread of oak wilt fungus.
10. Apply light application of fertilizer to established beds of winter flowering annuals (pansy, calendula, snapdragon, etc.) Use one pound of 15-10-5 per 100 square feet of bed area.
12. Check evergreen trees and shrubs to be sure they are not suffering from lack of moisture.

FEBRUARY

1st-15th 1. Continue to select and plant roses.
2. Begin to spray fruit trees to control scale.
3. Continue to select and plant woody ornamental.
4. Prune established tea and floribunda roses around the 25th of the month. Also prune fruit and nut trees, evergreens, summer flowering shrubs and landscape trees.
5. Plant Gladiolus bulbs and continue to do so at 2 week intervals until about July 15.
6. Apply dormant spray to deciduous trees and shrubs.
7. Major tree pruning can continue this month, if needed.
8. The following flower seeds may be sown directly in properly prepared flower beds this month: Balsam, Calendula, Coneflower, Four O'clock, Hollyhocks, Annual Phlox, California Poppy, and Nasturtium.
9. Begin to "harden off" tomatoes, peppers and other cold frame or indoor plantings. Water less and begin to expose plants to cool weather gradually.

MARCH

1st -15th.  This means outdoor gardening can begin in a big way this month.

1. Plant Alyssum, Daisy, Dianthus, Lobelia, Phlox, Verbena, Geranium, Aster, Petunia, Mums, Ageratum, Balsam, Cockscomb, Morning Glory, Nasturtium, Portulaca, Saliva, Sunflower, Zinnia, Marigolds, Coleus are any other spring bedding of your choice.
2. Plant last of bare rooted trees and shrubs. After March 15th, plant only container or balled plants. 3. Keep gardens weed free. Learn to recognize emerging flower seedlings. Do not mistake your annuls and perennials for weeds.
16th - 31st
1. Plant snapbeans, lima beans, eggplants, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, corn, cantaloupes, tomato plants, pumpkins, watermelons.
  Continue to watch all trees, shrubs, and emerging plants for signs of disease and insects.
4. Get those hanging baskets started this month. The variety of plants that can be used is limited only by your imagination.

APRIL

1st-15th
2. Plant 2nd planting of corn and green beans
3. Begin moving houseplants out of doors.
4. Thin newly planted vegetables.
5. Plant okra, peas
6. Mulch tomatoes, peppers, roses, azaleas.
8. Still time to plant any needed trees and shrubs.
10. Divide and transplant overcrowded Shasta Daisy, Daylily, Liriope, Mums and Cannas.

16th-30th
1. Prune spring flowering shrubs after blooming (Azaleas, Flowering Quince, Indian Hawthorne) 1a. Fertilize azaleas as they finish blooming. Because of their shallow root system, it is best to make several light applications.
2. Control downy and powdery mildews on vegetable plants
3. Prune Pear, Apple, Crabapple, Loquat, Pyracantha, Cotoneaster Indian Hawthorne if affected by fire blight.
4. Check all plants for evidence of insect damage.
5. Plant Ground covers
6. Don't be concerned about the old leaves on Magnolia Photinia, Gardenia, Cleyera, Abelia, Ligustrum or Pittosporum turning yellow and falling. This is a natural occurrence this time of year.
 

MAY

1 Repot crowed house plants, move to a spot on your patio or under a large shade tree for the summer. Guard against burning the foliage-dont' move them directly into full sun.
3. Fertilize: Vegetables monthly, flowering annuals monthly; trees and shrubs twice a year
5. This is an excellent time to propagate your favorite chrysanthemums from cuttings. As soon as the cutting are rooted, dig up the parent plant and discard.
6. Work rain-compacted soil around plants and flower beds to provide aeration. Use shallow cultivation to prevent root damage. The use of a good mulch will prevent soil compacting, eliminate the need for cultivation, greatly reduce weed growth, and cut down on watering.
7. Continue to watch for aphids, thrips, red spider mite, caterpillars, white fly, leaf rollers, and scale. 8 Complete pruning of climbing roses to insure a good supply of new wood for next year's flower formation.
9. Continue to spray roses for black spot and mildew control.
10. Pinch back leggy bedding plants to encourage side shoots. Pinching stops the terminal growth, thus resulting in bushier plants and more flower buds.
11. Caladium bulbs can be planted anytime this month.
12 Check your lawn mower blade. Dull blades can cause a brownish discoloration of the stems and leaves shortly after cutting.
13. Weeds will soon invade a lawn that is suffering from lack of moisture. A thorough, deep soaking of the lawn every week is better than frequent light watering.

JUNE

1. Take a critical look at your landscape while at the height of summer development. Can it be better arranged, planned, and planted to fit your family needs.
2. Water lawn and garden thoroughly preferably in the morning, but not too frequently
3. Continue to check for sumer insects and diseases. Spider mite is especially troublesume during the hot summer months.
4. Make your selections of bearded iris and prepare the beds for new plantings. They may be transplanted anytime from mid-june until later summer.
5. Don't forget to provide supplemental water for plants such as hydrangeas, coleus, caladium, geranium, dahlia, azalea, and camellia. Hot, dry summer weather is extremely critical for these plants.
6. Continue to pinch chrysanthemums to obtain compact bushy plants.
7. Container plants and hanging baskets require water and fertilizer during hot weather.
8. Container grown or balled and burlapped plants can be set out any time to replace dead plants or renew the landscape.
9. Be on the lookout for powdery mildew on crape myrtle, zinne, photinia, and euonymus as well as many other plants.
10. Prune aging annuals, such as petunias, once they become tall and leggy. Then fertilize and water to encourage new growth.
11. Harvest fresh vegtable often to insure continual production.
 

JULY

1. Water lawns and garden when needed giving a thorough soaking rather than frequent light sprinklings.
3. Check plants for mulch. Replace as needed
4. Keep a close check on recently planted landscape plants. Inadequate root system and drought can be damaging.
5. Watch for and apply early control for summer insects and disease to privent a build up of spread.
6. Check Azaleas and Camellias for iron chrlorosis (pale green leaves, darker green veins). If necessary, use copperas or iron chelate to correct iron deficiency.
7. Sow seeds of the following annuals for fall flower: Marigold, Zinnia, Periwinkle, Petunia, Cosmos, Portulaca, Ageratum.
8. Make the last pinch on early blooming mums by mid-July. Those blooming late in the fall can be given one additional pinch the last of the month. Keep them well watered.
10.Check junipers and marigolds for red spider mite. The brown, discolored foliage may be due to mite damage. Hold a sheet of white paper below a branch and tap the branch sharply. If the dirt specks start to move, you can be almost certain you have spider mite.
11. To keep hanging baskets looking attractive, soak the baskets in a tub of water every few days in addition to the regular daily watering. This is also a good time to fertilize baskets but never apply fertilizer to dry plants.
12. Divide spring and early summer perennial including daffodils, daylilies, iris, etc., and replant the best clumps. Discard the diseased or damage material, and share any surplus with friends.
14. Plant spider lilies and fall crocus
15. Seed tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cauliflower, okra, cabbage and brocolli for fall garden.
 

AUGUST

Water is best summer fertilizer. It's your key to successful gardening. Soak frequently, thoroughly, and deeply.
2. Plant pansy and calendula seed for fall and winter color.
3. This is the ideal time to begin planting that fall veritable garden.
4. Start a new compost pile and be ready to collect the leaves as they drop this fall. Be certain to keep moist to speed up decomposition.
5. Plan now for major landscape changes you may need.
 

SEPTEMBER

1. Make your selections of spring flowering bulbs as soon as they become available. Don't wait for the close-out bargains, as these are usually dried out and lack the necessary chilling needed for good flower production. Store bulbs in a cool place until ready to plant, preferably about 40 degrees. The refrigerator is an excellent place.
2. Prepare beds for planting springs bulbs so they are ready when you need them.
3. Begin to groom pot plants that have been outdoors this summer. Repot or cut back overgrown plants, groom and fertilizer before brining them inside.
4. Continue insect and disease control sprays on roses if maximum beauty and blooms are desired.
5. Time to plant or to divide and transplant daylilies, bearded iris, Shasta daisies, violets, etc.
6. September marks the beginning of the brown patch season on St. Augustine lawns. Apply PCNB (Terraclor) to those areas of the lawn with past history of brown patch. Also watch other lawn areas and apply control at the first sign of disease occurrence.
9. Fall flowering annuals and perennials still require plenty of moisture if the flowers are to be attractive. Don't be fooled by the cool night and moderate day temperatures.
10. Clean established garden beds and replenish mulch materials where needed. Remove faded annuals and cut back perennials that have finished flowering.
11. Time to plant cool season vegetables including: Cabbage, cauliflower, onions, spinach, greens, and turnips. Quick maturing crops, such as radishes and lettuce, can be planted. Too late for tomatoes, peppers, and squash.
12. Save major pruning jobs for mid-winter.
13.Bluebonnet and other wildflower seeds can be planted this month.
 

OCTOBER

1.Plant spring flowering bulbs such as Hyacinths, Allium, Snowflakes, Daffodils,jonquils, Narcissus, Rain Lilies, Dutch Iris, Ranunculus, Anemones, Grape Hyacinth, Amaryllis and others.
3. Scale insects on broad leafed evergreens such as Camellia, Gardenia, Holly, and Eunoymus can be effectively controlled by spraying with dormant oil, Do not use oil spray if temperature goes above 80 degrees.
4. Purchase started plants of pansies, snapdragons, dianthus, flowering kale, and flowering cabbage for attractive winter and spring color.
5. Check for aphids and caterpillars on fall flowers and leafy vegetables.
6. Clean, sharpen all hand tools and cover all metal parts with a light coat of oil to prevent rust before storing for the winter. A bucket of dry sand plus a cup or two or oil makes an excellent way to clean those yeard tools.
7. Begin a new compost pile using the abundant fall leaves.
9. Sow ryegrass for a winter green lawn or to prevent erosion of bare soil. Use 8 -10 pounds of seed per 1000 square feet.
 

NOVEMBER

1. Prepare beds for roses it be planted in December and January. Order those special rose varieties now for late delivery.
2. Force spring flowering bulbs for indoor flowering.
3. Finish planting all spring flowering bulbs
4. Clean annual and perennial beds. Rework annual beds and prepare for spring or fall planting.
5. Continue to practice good garden sanitation. Keep leaves raked up and place on compost pile. Wet thoroughly as you build up the compost pile to hasten decomposition. Turn contents with shovel or spading fork periodically.
6. Annual rye grass will make a good ground cover for a new lawn to hold top soil in place and prevent tracking soil into the house. Sow seed at rate 8-10 pounds/1000 square feet.
7. Large, almost mature, tomatoes can be picked just ahead of the first frost.
8.Fertilize shade trees by deep root placement in holes.
9. Harvest fall vegetables
 

DECEMBER

1. Consider using a living Christmas tree that can be planted in the landscape or used as a tubed specimen. Afgan pine is excellent for this purpose.

2. Plant Tulip bulbs that have been chilling in the refrigerator.