General Spring Season Tips:

• Begin feeding bulbs with liquid fertilizer as they emerge from the ground.
• Remove dead leaves from hostas.
• Prune summer-flowering shrubs in early spring before new growth, since they usually bloom from new wood.
  
  April/May Gardening Tips
• Uncover and remove winter mulch from roses, spring bulbs, and perennials.
• Divide and replant overgrown perennials.
• Till flower and vegetable garden soil and add composted cow manure, rice hulls, peat moss, or composted leaves.
• Plant frost-tolerant pansies and Johnny-jump-ups for early spring color.
• Plant trees and shrubs as soon as the ground is dry enough for digging; late frost and snow will not hurt newly planted trees.
• Apply fresh mulch around trees and shrubs for weed control.
• Prune hedges and summer-flowering shrubs. Check for damage and remove broken branches.
• Remove tree wrap when snow melts.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs.
• Wait until the ground is frost free before removing mulch; if temperatures rise early in the season, remove part of the mulch but leave at least two to three inches.
• Till or spade the soil deeply; if desired, add a slow-release flower-garden fertilizer.
• Evergreens can be pruned at almost any time except late in the growing season.
• Work fertilizer into vegetable and flower gardens before they are planted.
• Fertilize roses and begin maintenance program against black spot and mildew.
• Mulch flower gardens to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth.
• Plant Minnesota Grown annuals and geraniums after frost is no longer a danger.
• Apply pre-emergent weed control in shrub and planting beds.
• Remove accumulated leaves and debris from underneath evergreens and shrubs.
• Prune forsythia, azaleas, and lilacs after they have flowered; all spring-flowering shrubs should be pruned right after flowering.
• Make sure freshly planted trees and shrubs are watered weekly, especially during dry periods. Continue to water through the season.
• Fertilize established trees, evergreens, and shrubs. Start a fertilizer program.
• Rake, overseed, and fertilize the lawn. Avoid applying crabgrass preventer to newly overseeded areas.
• Seed new lawns while nights are still cool and the weather is wet.
• Control dandelions and creeping Charlie by applying herbicide before heads are formed.

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Summer Gardening Tips:

• Deadheading (removing faded flowers and seed heads) directs the plant’s energy to more flowering rather than to producing seeds. It’s especially recommended for annuals.
• Pinch back phlox, asters, and mums to make them more flower-productive.
• Fertilizers are best applied to azaleas, rhododendrons, and blueberries in spring or early summer.
• Use grass clippings as mulch around flowers. Do not use those that have had herbicides applied.
• Apply slow-release fertilizer in midsummer to provide good plant performance until frost.
• Stake larger varieties of perennials such as delphiniums.
• In June - Trim evergreens and hedges.
• Mid-June: Prune pines, spruce, and fir trees.
• Remove spring bulb foliage as it browns.
• If spring-flowering bulbs aren’t doing well, dig up bulbs after the foliage has died and divide.
• Before late summer, transplant and divide perennials.
• Continue to water young trees and shrubs weekly.

Fall Gardening Tips

• Plant perennials. Fall installation gives plants time to develop a strong root system. Most perennials flower in the spring; if planted then, they may not bloom the first year.
• Split and replant overgrown bulbs. Dig up the bulb after the foliage has died and allow it to dry thoroughly. After drying, bulbs can be split and replanted.
• Cut perennials to the ground after hard frost and use foliage for compost.
• September - Take advantage of cooler weather to plant trees, shrubs and evergreens; use root-stimulating fertlilizers to promote root growth.
• Divide and replant perennials such as peonies and irises.
• Water young trees and shrubs.
• Now is the best time to seed new lawn, patch bare spots, and install sod. There isn’t as much competition with weed seeds now. Do it before September 15.
• Plant chrysanthemums, pansies, asters, and flowering kale for fall color.
• Remove dead annuals and add them to compost.
• Cover tender roses before temperatures dip below 25 degrees.
• Mow lawn until frost stops growth – tall, matted grass encourages snow mold.
• Wrap young and thin-barked trees to protect against sunscald and animals.
  

Simplify your fall landscape clean-up by hiring Abra Landscaping to shut down your irrigation system and provide a fall clean up.