May Landscape Maintenance

Spring has finally sprung. The soil temperature is finally climbing and the plants are waking up. Just as breakfast is our most important meal, the plants need a good feeding after waking up. Now is the time to start feeding your plants. When applying a granular fertilizer it is best to work it into the soil. Healthy well-fed plants are last to be attacked by insects and disease. Plants such as annuals and roses that bloom profusely, tend to have big appetites and should be fed every couple of weeks while they are blooming. It is probably safe to plant tender annuals and vegetables in your gardens and containers.

May is the month to start your weed control. If you pull small weeds you will not get big weeds. Weeds can ruin the look of any lawn or garden. Now is the time to apply a pre-emergent herbicide to gardens and beds. Pull weeds and spade the soil before applying a pre-emergent, because once the chemical is in the ground, it works longer if the soil is left undisturbed. Always pull weeds when the soil is moist, as it is easier to get the roots. Get in the habit of pulling a few weeds after every rain.

Prune Forsythia, Lilacs, Azaleas, and Rhododendrons after their flowers expire. Prune Pines once their candles appear. Other evergreens such as Arborvitae, Junipers and Yews should be trimmed after they flush their new growth. This should be done in late May or early June. Do not trim evergreens after July. As always, remove any dead or broken material.

Keep watering any newly planted plants. Check any Pines for Saw-Fly larva. You’ll have to look closely; they are small little worms that will eat every needle if left unchecked. If you see them, go to your local garden center and have them recommend a treatment.

Having a beautiful lawn is not magic, but can be accomplished with a little work and care. It is not too late to apply a Crabgrass preventer. This is a good time to start spot spraying broadleaf weeds such as Dandelions and Creeping Charlie. Weed Free Zone by Ferti-loam is a good product for these broadleaf weeds. Lawns need an inch of water every week. Unless you have a lot of time to baby-sit a sprinkler, you might want to consider an irrigation system.

As long as the weather remains cool, you can continue mowing your lawn short (about 2"). Mow often, it is stressful to the plant to remove more than a third of the blade when cutting. Keep your lawn mower blades sharp, this also will reduce stress on the on the grass plants. Continue your fertilization program, lawns should be fed four times a year.

  1. After you've mowed for the first time
  2. Late May or early June before the temps hit 90
  3. Late August
  4. Late September or early October

Four feedings a year creates conditions that your grass will love and your weeds will hate.

Jeff Hauer, Landscape Designer and Owner