Lawn & Garden Calendar
January
Begin planning for next year’s garden.
Keep an eye out for rabbit chewing damage & apply repellents as needed.
Visit the outstanding rare and dwarf conifer collection at Hidden Lake Gardens near Brooklyn, Michigan. This arboretum is run by Michigan State University. They also have a nice indoor conservatory. It’s less than a two-hour drive from here.
Visit any other indoor plant conservatory. There’s one in Fort Wayne, Indiana and another in Columbus, Ohio.
Buy a plane ticket to somewhere warm and enjoy the plants there.
February
Our spring garden seeds arrive this month.
Continue to look for rabbit chewing damage and apply repellents as needed.
Cut off any remaining dead ornamental grass and perennial tops.
Uncover mulched in roses as soon as the temperature begins to warm.
As weather permits, you can begin trimming and pruning on your woody plants.
Transplanting of small trees, shrubs, and evergreens can be started this month and should be finished before spring bud break.
Trunk wrappings on young trees can be removed at the end of this month.
March
Finish trimming and pruning landscape shrubs and trees. If heavy pruning is necessary, now is the time.
Finish pruning fruit trees and apply horticultural oil spray.
Check vinyl edging for frost heaving, correct if necessary.
Apply crabgrass preventer to the lawn if needed.
Whether you’re seeding a new lawn or just patching spots, you can use one of our grass seed blends, our Starter Fertilizer and pelletized Penn Mulch instead of straw.
April
Clean out gutters and downspouts.
This is a good month to divide many perennials and ornamental grasses.
Apply Killzall herbicide to those existing winter-hardy weeds.
Apply one of our pre-emergent herbicides to help prevent weeds all summer.
If your lawn has been in decent shape, fertilizing in the spring only causes you to mow more often. Lightly fertilizing in early summer (June) or fall is preferred.
May
This is the month for planting annuals (flowers & veggies).
Apply fresh mulch around landscape trees and shrubs.
Finish any spring gardening chores that you still haven’t gotten to.
The best time to trim spring flowering trees and shrubs is right after they finish blooming.
June
Adjust or remove any tree stakes still on plants.
If your plants need a boost, our line of Fertilome garden products offers a fertilizer that’s perfect for every application.
Keep roses and summer blooming perennials looking their finest by cutting off spent flowers. This also encourages more blooms!
Pluck existing weeds out of the landscape or spray with Killzall. Get ‘em now before they start producing seeds!
Inspect plants for fungus diseases. They are more likely to develop after extended periods of wet weather.
Make sure your lawn mower is cutting high enough, 2”-3”.
Still need a little color around that porch or patio? Our custom planters look spectacular and will make a charming addition to your patio.
July
- Water your landscape as needed. Whenever you water, slow thorough soaking is best. Frequent light sprinkling tends to spread plant diseases.
- Get the most out of your watering and the natural rainfall by using mulch to hold that moisture in the soil. This will dramatically cut back the time you spend watering this summer.
- Keep an eye out for those pesky insects and mites, but treat only if necessary.
- Do some light pruning or shaping to evergreens and summer blooming shrubs. Save heavy pruning for spring.
- Now is the time to enjoy those delicious fresh herbs!
August
- All light trimming or shaping of trees, shrubs and evergreens should be finished this month. Trimming later can cause permanent damage to some plants.
- Water your plants if needed. Whenever you water, slow thorough soaking is best. Frequent light sprinkling tends to spread diseases. Mulch, if needed, to preserve moisture.
- This is a good month to divide many perennials.
- Prepare your soil now for fall grass seeding projects.
September
- This is the prime month to seed new grass.
- Enjoy those fresh garden veggies while you still can.
- Stop deadheading roses and perennials by the end of this month, so they can begin hardening off for winter.
- Herbicides applied to broadleaf weeds the end of this month or early October, are very effective in the lawn or landscape. Be careful when using them around desirable plants.
October
- Light to moderate fertilizing of the lawn this month will help strengthen it for winter.
- Plant daffodils, tulips, crocus and hyacinths now for spectacular color next spring.
- Clean up the garden and till in gypsum and peat moss to prepare the soil for next spring.
- This is the month to simply relax, take in the fall colors, and “Get as much enjoyment from the outside of your home as you get from the inside.”
November
- Be sure all new plantings have been mulched in.
- Check newly planted evergreens for adequate moisture before the ground freezes.
- Cut off and clean up dead foliage on peonies, German bearded iris, tall phlox and bee balm to prevent over-wintering of disease and insects. Most other perennials can be left standing until spring to attract birds and for some winter structure in the landscape.
- Drain and cover stone fountains, pots and statues.
- Disconnect garden hoses from faucets.
December
- From statuary to fountains; pruning tools to leather gloves; Beining Nursery carries some of the most unique gift items you'll find anywhere. Our selection of gifts is always great for the holidays, and our Beining Nursery Gift Certificates are always a welcome sight under the Christmas tree.
- Wrap trunks of young trees with paper tree wrap to prevent sun scald and frost cracking.
- Cover first year roses.
- Keep an eye out for rabbit chewing damage and apply repellents as needed.
- Start planning now for your spring planting projects by taking measurements and photographs of the area you’ll be working on