GARDENING CALENDAR

The following guidelines and information are directed toward the Midwest part of the United States. Some material may not apply to you depending on your location and zone.

MARCH/ARPIL

If it appears spring is on its way, you should start uncovering your gardens. You can usually start this process when the night temperatures are 40 degrees or warmer. It is not advised to do this sooner, because cool night temperatures could damage your plants. You should rake off any type of material used for mulching your gardens. If you leave this material on too long it can cause crown damage. You need to give your plants air and depending on the ground moisture level they may soon need water. If you didn't prune your plants back in fall, now is the time to do so. The old growth (last years growth) on many perennials can be pruned back almost to the ground. Although, there are several varieties that you need to leave at least 2"-3" of growth on in order for them to re-grow ( Buddleia's, ornamental grasses, vines, etc.) Once you have cleaned your gardens, check to see if you need to add more mulch. 2"-3" is recommended to help hold moisture in and reduce weed growth. Applying a pre-emergant is recommended to control weed growth. By now many of your plants should be starting to show new growth. Remember, some varieties are late at emerging (hibiscus, eupatorium, ornamental grasses, etc.) so don't give up hope on them. If you need to thin out certain plants in your garden, now is a good time to dig them out and divide them. Don't wait too long.

If you are planning on landscaping a new area now is the time to start preparing. If you are a novice gardener or an avid gardener wanting a refresher course, please refer to the Basic's in Perennial Gardening to assist you in this important preparation. There are many steps to consider before you start planting any plants in the ground.

If your project for the year is to revamp a garden, you can do that any time through the season. Although, spring and fall are considered to be the best times to do so. If your schedule only allows you to do so in the heat of summer, early mornings or evenings are most ideal (least stressful on the plants).

MAY

By now most of your plants should be showing considerable growth, if not already flowering. If you have any plans for planting this is a good time to follow through. Visit your local garden center and see what's new and hot for this year, or find replacements for any plants that may not have survived the winter.

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST

Your gardens should be at there peak during this time. They should be blessing you with color, fragrance, nature and hopefully a feeling of accomplishment. You need to monitor your gardens periodically for weeds, insects, pests and diseases. This doesn't have to be a chore. Every one to two weeks, you should leisurely inspect your gardens. Remember, the cleaner you keep your garden the less chance of getting pests and diseases. As certain varieties flowering periods come to an end, it is wise to deadhead (remove spent flowers) these plants. Deadheading has several advantages. It can prevent reseeding and promote re-blooming. Most importantly of all enjoy your gardens!

SEPTEMBER

The colors in our landscape around us are starting to change. As this naturally happens, you can change some of your own gardens. Now would be a good time to remove the pink, blue and purple annuals you have planted around your gardens or in containers. Replace them with fall mums or other perennials with yellow, orange or bronze colors. This is also a good time to dig overgrown plants and divide them. It is best to replant them several weeks before the first hard frost, so they can establish themselves in the ground.

OCTOBER

The seasons are slowly starting to change. We may even have had our first frost. We can't stop nature from taking place. So enjoy the last views of your gardens enough to last you the winter through. You may want to start pruning back your gardens at this time. This can be done either in fall or spring. See what your schedule permits. Varieties such as ornamental grasses you may wish to leave until spring. They add winter interest.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER

Depending on the weather, most of your plants are going dormant now. You should be finished with any pruning you wanted to accomplish. Wait until the ground freezes before you mulch your gardens. You don't want to do this too soon. It can cause rotting and lack of air can suffocate your plants. If rodents are a problem in your area it is a good idea to set out bait to cut down on plant damage. Once you have covered your gardens for the winter, there isn't a whole lot you can do until spring. So grab a warm drink, find a cozy spot in the house and catch up on reading your gardening magazines or start making plans for new gardening projects for the upcoming year.