WHEN TO DO “WHAT” FOR BETTER GARDENS
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JANUARY
Take Care of Your Lawn: Avoid walking on your lawn when frost is present to prevent damage. Mowing is rarely needed this month, and fescue should not be cut short. Fertilize with high-nitrogen fertilizers like Dr. Q’s® Winter Gem.
Prune Deciduous Trees and Shrubs: January is the best time for this task while plants are dormant. Remove congested tops, crossing branches, and damaged wood. Avoid pollarding trees.
Prune Fruit Trees, Grapes, and Roses: Strip all leaves from the bushes and prune to give them a dormant period for proper spring production. Refer to Star Note #520 ROSE SELECTION CARE AND PLANTING for detailed instructions.
Dormant Spray Fruit Trees, Grapes, and Roses: Use dormant disease control and dormant oil sprays to prevent spring pests and disease problems. Spray early before the buds swell. Do not use sulfur sprays on apricot trees.
Plant Roses and Fruit Trees: This is a prime time for planting to ensure spring and summer production. Roses thrive best in the afternoon shade. (top)
FEBRUARY
Watch for Strong winds: Deeply water and stake new trees to protect them from wind damage. If strong cold winds are expected, cover tender tropical plants, vegetables, herbs, and citrus trees to protect leaves and fruit from damage.
Wake up Established Roses: Prepare roses for spring blooming with the “Star Potion” discussed in Star Note 605.
Fertilize Fruit Trees and Grapes: Apply nitrogen about 6 weeks before and after bloom for high-quality fruit. Try using Dr. Q’s Fruit & Nut Food.
Handle Frost-Damaged Plants: Leave frost-damaged plants unpruned until new growth appears to avoid further winter damage.
Prevent Spring Lawn Weeds: Apply granular pre-emergent weed control products like Bonide Crabgrass and Broadleaf Weed Preventer. (top)
MARCH
Reset Sprinkler Clocks: Adjust according to your local Water Authority’s watering restrictions. Inspect your irrigation system for sprinkler coverage and missing or broken drip emitters.
Fertilize Trees and Shrubs: Use a balanced fertilizer like 15-15-15 or organic-based fertilizers such as Dr. Q’s Tree, Shrub & Vine Food.
Feed Desert Plants and Cacti: Apply Dr. Q’s Desert Plant and Cactus Food for improved spring flowering and growth.
Survey Your Yard: Clean up debris, tune your irrigation system, and replace irrigation/sprinkler parts as needed. Fertilize lawns with a complete spring fertilizer like Dr. Q’s Royal Flush 16-4-8 or if you have weeds consider Hi-Yield’s Weed & Feed 18-4-4 to kill emerging spring weeds and feed your lawn at the same time.
Thin Fruit on Trees: Thin fruit to one every 6 inches on the branch to ensure better quality and prevent tree breakage.
Overseed Lawns or Plant New Ones: Follow guidelines in Star Note #800 PLANTING A NEW LAWN FROM SEED, Star Note #805 PLANTING A NEW LAWN FROM SOD, Star Note #810 FERTILIZING AND MAINTAINING A LAWN or Star Note #830 SPRUCE UP AND OVER-SEED YOUR LAWN for best results.
Control Vegetable Pests: Use chemical or organic insecticides to manage aphids, leafhoppers, and cabbage loopers.
Plant Tomato Starts: Ensure a good crop by planting early and selecting heat-tolerant varieties.
Prepare Herb Gardens: Use Cedar Bark Mulch to reduce and control insects without pesticides. (top)
APRIL & MAY
Brighten up Your Yard: Plant a variety of annual and perennial flowers. Use pre-emergent weed control like Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper containing dimension after planting.
Control Skeletonizers on Susceptible Plants Like Grapes, Texas Mountain Laurel & Bells: Use Bacillus Thuringiensis (Bio Worm Killer) to manage caterpillars without harming your plants.
Apply Organic Mulch: Mulch vegetables and flower beds to retain moisture and cool the soil.
Vegetable Tips: Mulch tomatoes, plant warm-season vegetables, and feed monthly with Dr. Q’s Vegetable & Tomato Food.
Control Unwanted Bermuda Grass: Use BioAdvance Bermudagrass Control for Lawns starting in spring when Bermudagrass greens up. Target young grass when blades are small and actively growing (between 60°F to 90°F) repeat applications (up to 7, spaced a month apart) and potentially again the following growing season if needed.
Reset Sprinkler Clocks: Increase frequency due to higher temperatures. Water Early: The best watering time is early morning, ideally 1 hour before sunrise. This minimizes evaporation and ensures the water reaches the roots before the hottest part of the day. Inspect your irrigation system for cracked, broken, or clogged irrigation parts.
Refresh Potted Plants: Add new potting soil and shift overgrown plants to larger containers.
Prune Desert Plants: Lightly prune to reduce stress, avoiding exposure of tender trunks to full sun.
Fertilize Wisely: Use complete fertilizers like Dr. Q’s Tree, Shrub & Vine Food and renew mulches as needed.
Plant Heat-Loving Flowers: Amend soil thoroughly and use surface mulches to improve water efficiency. (top)
JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST
Second Application of Pre-Emergent Weed Control: pply as needed to prevent warm-season weeds.
Fertilize Palms: Use Dr. Q’s Palm Tree Food for vigorous growth and green color.
Water Wisely for Healthy Lawns: Deep cycle soaking is best for healthy lawns. Water in the early morning, ideally 1 hour before sunrise, and avoid midday watering (11 AM to 7 PM). Skip evening watering altogether to prevent fungus; the latest acceptable time is 1 hour after sunset. Adjust the frequency based on climate, soil, and grass type.
Keep Lawns Healthy: Use balanced fertilizers like Dr. Q’s Triple Play and manage summer weeds effectively with BioAdvanced All-In-One Weed Killer.
Beat the Heat & Bugs: Extreme summer heat can impact how insecticides work and severely damage plants. Before using any product (chemical or organic), read labels carefully for application temperature warnings. Try a strong stream of water to dislodge insects. This method is particularly effective against spider mites, as they rely on delicate webs that water can disrupt. (top)
SEPTEMBER
Reset Sprinkler Clocks: As temperatures start to cool, decrease water frequency, keeping the duration long for deep root growth. Follow your local Water Authority’s watering restrictions. Inspect your irrigation system for cracked, broken, or clogged irrigation parts.
Plant Cool Season Vegetables: Turn vegetable beds and plant cool-season vegetables. Feed monthly with Dr. Q’s Tomato & Vegetable Food.
Feed Fruit Trees: Use low nitrogen, and high phosphorus fertilizer before dormancy to promote healthy spring fruit buds.
Revive Roses: Clean and feed roses to prepare them for fall blooming.
Overseed Fescue Lawns: Use Dr. Q’s Emerald Carpet tall fescue grass seed to repair damaged lawns.
Control Unwanted Weeds & Grass in Rock Landscape: Use Remuda Weed & Grass Killer or Hi-Yield Super Concentrate KILLZALL Weed & Grass Killer Apply to actively growing weeds, preferably before the seed heads form. (top)
OCTOBER
Irrigate Fruit Trees Less Often: Water deeply but less frequently to encourage dormancy.
Decorate with Fall Color: Plant cool-season flowers such as Pansies and Violas for continuous winter color.
Plant Trees and Shrubs: Fall is ideal for planting, ensuring strong roots by spring. (top)
NOVEMBER
Reset Sprinkler Clocks: Follow your local Water Authority’s winter watering restrictions.
Stop Lawn Weed Seeds: Apply pre-emergent herbicides to prevent cool-season weeds.
Maintain Lawns & Ornamental Plants: Apply cool-season fertilizers and continue planting fall and winter flowers. Refer to Star Note #600 FERTILIZER BASICS.
Watch for Frost: Protect frost-sensitive and tender plants like cacti & succulents from sudden freezes with burlap or N-Sulate Frost Blankets. (top)
DECEMBER
Christmas Tree Care: Choose between cut varieties like Noble, Nordmann, or Douglas Fir.
Protect Plants from Frost: Water deeply every 2 weeks between 9:00 am and 10:00 am and never water overnight. Cover plant roots with organic mulch as added protection. Cover frost-tender plants with burlap or N-Sulate Frost Blankets.
Protect Pipes & Pool Components: Wrap or cover with insulation materials. Try the convenient PVB Protectors for above-ground backflow prevention devices.
Plant Colorful Cold Hardy Plants: Add Pansies, Snapdragons, Stock, Cyclamen, Ornamental Cabbage, and Kale to add color to your landscape. (top)