April 2018 Maintenace Tips

APRIL - 12 Easy Steps for A Low Maintenance Landscape

  1. Remove: dead leaves & debris from perennials & landscape beds.
  2. Preen & Mulch: apply a pre-emergent herbicide such as Preen and replenish mulch as needed to help prevent weeds throughout the year. Mulch also helps retain moisture and regulate soil temperatures throughout the year. Do not stack mulch against crowns of perennials.
  3. Fertilize: by amending beds with compost if possible and/or fertilize with slow release fertilizer (we use Osmocote) when growth begins.
  4. Deadhead: early flowering bulbs—leave foliage until it yellows which is a minimum of 1 month after flowering.
  5. Divide and Transplant: If necessary, now is an ideal time to divide & transplant perennials such as Hostas, Daylilies, etc. before they grow 3-4 inches tall. Divide summer and fall flowering perennials and ornamental grasses in the spring as needed.
  6. Weed: while they are small and easy to pull!!!
  7. Prevent Insects on Roses: Apply Systemic Insect Control to roses in April to prevent insect leaf damage later in the season. We recommend Fertilome Rose & Flower Food with Systemic Insecticide.
  8. Prune (with hand pruners, such as Felcos): spring flowering shrubs like Lilac, Azalea, Rhododendron and Weigela right after they are done blooming in the spring
  9. Plant cool weather annuals and vegetables: Pansies, Ranunculus, Lettuce, Radishes, Peas, Carrots, Kale, Arugula, Kohlrabi, and Spinach. Trees, shrubs, and perennials can be planted as long as the nursery stock is acclimated to the outdoors.
  10. Seed: damaged lawn areas. Rake area first to improve seed to soil contact. Do not apply pre-emergent crabgrass control in reseeded areas as it will keep good seed from germinating. Keep seeded area moist till grass has germinated.
  11. Apply: pre-emergent crabgrass control without fertilizer when the Forsythia blooms. We recommend Hi-Yield Crabgrass Control without fertilizer.
  12. Mow: as needed making sure your lawn mower blades are sharp. To maintain healthy turf, never cut more than 1/3 of the leaf blade off in one cutting. Leave grass at 2.5"-3.5" long (3-4” if you have tall fescue). Cutting too short can result in turf stress, poor rooting, less drought tolerance, and more opportunities for weeds and crabgrass to invade.

Shopping List from Niemeyer’s: bagged & bulk topsoil, compost, preen, mulch, snips, pruners, crabgrass control, grass seed, vegetable/herb plants & seeds, and new trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals.

 

 

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