Seasonal Tips

Spring

Test soil in turf areas and planting beds and adjust Ph if necessary.
Spread granular, slow-acting fertilizer. (This is optional if you fertilized in the fall or winter).
Aerate the lawn to treat compacted soil.
Mulch trees and shrubs in planting beds to help with the retention of water and to slow down weed growth.
Sharpen your mower blades at the start of the season. Mow turf at a height of 2 to 3 inches.

Learn the signs of insect infestation, and head them off before they get settled in.
Water your lawn weekly if rain is scarce or your soil is poor.
Remember to water to promote deep rooting of turf; water on consecutive days.
Treat weeds and bare spots as soon as you see them.
Sharpen your mower blades again halfway through the season.

Water trees and shrubs thoroughly before the first frost if rain has been scarce.
Mulch with organic material, or mow a layer of fallen leaves into the lawn.
Fertilize your lawn around Thanksgiving to promote strong root growth during winter.
Cutting the grass a bit shorter just before winter to prevent its matting under snow (2” minimum).

Put burlap windscreens around less hardy plants if they’re in exposed areas; spray with an anti-dessicant, especially for broadleaf evergreens.
Use a broom to brush snow away from evergreen trees gently, to keep the weight from breaking the limbs.
If ice or snow does break tree limbs, have the limbs removed as soon as weather permits – damaged trees are prone to disease.
Putting markers at the edge of your lawn will help you avoid damaging it when you’re shoveling snow.
Use only non-salt de-icers for sidewalks and driveways, so the runoff doesn’t harm plants. Salt will damage grass, perennials, and shrubs, and will keep the plants from absorbing much-needed water.
Check any perennial plants during periods of thawing soil to see if roots are popping out of the ground. If they have, gently push them back into place, and add mulch.