Spring

• Spread granular, slow release fertilizer. (This is optional if you fertilized in the fall or winter)
  
  
• Aerate the lawn to treat compacted soil
  
  
• Mulch plantings with organic matter, if necessary
  
  
• Sharpen your mower blades at the start of the season
  
  
• Install annuals after last frost

Summer

• Learn the signs of bug infestation, and head them off before they become a problem
  
  
• Water your established lawn weekly if rain is scarce or your soil is poor. Otherwise, water only when rainfall is absent more than 10 days
  
  
• Treat weeds and bare spots as soon as they appear
  
  
• Sharpen your mower blade again halfway through the season

Autumn

• Water trees and shrubs thoroughly but don’t over water! Plants and shrubs should be expected to look a little off color in September and October
  
  
• Mulch new plantings with organic materials, or a layer of fallen leaves for winter protection
  
  
• Fertilize your lawn and plants around Thanksgiving to promote strong growth for the next season
  
  
• Cutting the grass a bit shorter just before winter to prevent matting under snow
  
  
• Plant bulbs

Winter

• Place burlap windscreens around less hardy plants if they’re in exposed areas
  
  
• 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, cleanly cut the damaged limbs from the tree as soon as weather permits.  Consider hiring a professional arborist for difficult situations and for valuable plant material.  Damaged trees are more prone to disease.
  
  
• Putting markers at the edge of your lawn and planting areas will help you avoid damage when it is time for snow removal.
  
  
• Avoid walking on frosted or snow-covered lawns
  
  
• Prune trees and shrubs for structure
  
  
• Use only non-salt de-icers for sidewalks and driveways, so the runoff doesn’t harm plants.  Salt will damage lawn and plant materials, and will keep them from absorbing much-needed water

Check any perennial plants during periods of thawing soil to see if roots heave out of the ground. If they have, gently push them back into place, and add mulch


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