4007 Skippack Pike, Skippack, PA 19474 map | 610.584.0797
Garden Calendar
- March: Bushes may still be transplanted if buds have not begun to swell. Slowly remove winter mulch from perennials as new growth appears. Prune roses. Prune dead branches from bushes and trees. Prune ornamental grasses to the ground. Sow seeds for summer blooming annuals indoors.
- April: Deadhead spring flowering bulbs but don’t cut off foliage. Divide fall blooming perennials. Plant new bushes and perennials from the garden center.
- May: When spring bulb foliage has browned and is easy to pull up, remove it. When danger of frost is gone, plant annual flowers in beds and containers. Plant herbs and vegetables. Mulch plantings. Fertilize annual beds every two weeks. Watch roses for pests and spray if necessary. Deadhead (remove old blossoms) annual flowers to keep them full. Prune spring flowering shrubs (like azaleas) after they flower. Pinch back chrysanthemums and asters to keep upright. Control slugs and snails. Remove weeds before they go to seed.
- June: Fill in bare spots in the garden with annuals and perennials. Continue to deadhead and pinch back leggy annuals. Fertilize annuals every two weeks and vegetables monthly. Control slugs and snails. Stay ahead of weeds. Compost (healthy) plant material.
- July: Make sure your garden is getting enough water; water deeply instead of a little every day, allowing surface soil to dry between watering; water in the morning. Pinch back chrysanthemums until mid-month. Continue to deadhead and weed. Feed hummingbirds and keep feeders clean.
- August: Keep watering deeply (the garden should get an inch of water a week) and fertilizing. Containers and hanging baskets may need to be watered daily. Keep the birdbath filled and the water changed often. Continue to deadhead and weed.
- September: Remove spent annuals. If weather stays hot, make sure plants have enough water. Divide overgrown perennials. Mark location of perennials or make a map of your garden. Plant shrubs. Do not prune spring flowering shrubs. Plants spring flowering bulbs when ground temperature goes to 60 degrees. Plant flowering kale, cabbage and mums. Continue to weed.
- October: Make sure new plantings and divisions have enough water. Prune stalks of summer perennials to the ground. If spring flowering bulbs weren’t planted in September, get them into the ground now. After frost, rake any dead annuals from the garden. Continue to weed. Remove shredded mulch. Buy amaryllis.
- November: Shrubs and perennials can be transplanted if soil is not too wet. Pot spring flowering bulbs (put them in a cool dark place until growth emerges then place in a bright window). Feed the birds.
- December: Shrubs and perennials can be transplanted if soil is not too wet. Pot spring flowering bulbs (put them in a cool dark place until growth emerges then place in a bright window). Feed the birds.
- January: Remove snow from bushes and tree branches, but if they are icy and bent to the ground leave them in place. Use a plant-friendly ice melter. Feed the birds to help them survive and stay in your garden. If bulb growth starts to emerge, cover with mulch. Begin to buy seeds. Repair tools for spring use. If soil is not frozen or wet it may be turned now.
- February: Deciduous bushes may be transplanted now (before buds swell). Summer flowering bushes may be pruned, but do not prune spring bloomers. Plants which have pushed out of the ground from frost heave should be pressed back in place. Perennials may be divided and moved (before new growth appears). Turn the compost pile.
