There is always something interesting happening in the yard and garden no matter what time of year. You'll find common sense tips for garden and plant care below. Other tips are located on the right of this page. If you don't see what you are looking for, contact us for answers to your gardening questions.
Gardening in January January Gardening Tips Apply dormant sprays on roses and fruit trees this month or next. Lime sulfur or copper fungicides help control diseases. Cleani… Read more » Gardening in February February Gardening Tips This is a good month to fix and tune-up lawn mowers and other equipment before the season of needs arises. A new or sharpened bl… Read more » Gardening in March March Gardening Tips Watch for slugs to appear. A little control now will lessen the need later. A small slug can do lots of damage to small seedling… Read more » Gardening in April April Gardening Tips If your garden soil is too heavy and too wet to till, get a planting mix and place it 3 or 4 inches deep to plant early season v… Read more » Gardening in May May Gardening Tips Local garden centers are in full swing by now. Go there to get good ideas, advice, and inspiration. Warm weather brings aphids… Read more » Gardening in June June Gardening Tips Adjust and check irrigation systems. Dry spots need correction. Spray heads may be blocked or clogged. A dry spot in the lawn ma… Read more » Gardening in July July Gardening Tips Places that need shade are obvious now. Is it the deck or patio? Maybe a large window? Perhaps it is the rhododendron that you p… Read more » Gardening in August August Gardening Tips Late crops in the garden like squash and cucumbers need fertilizer, even as you harvest, to keep producing. Early corn could b… Read more » Gardening in September September Gardening Tips Slugs killed now will not lay eggs for next year. Try new baits that are less attractive to pets. Slug patrol in late evening by… Read more » Gardening in October October Gardening Tips Begin to prepare for winter by digging and storing geraniums, tuberous begonias, and dahlias. Take green tomatoes and ripen in… Read more » Gardening in November November Gardening Tips Be prepared to protect vegetables in the garden with row covers if necessary to protect from extreme cold. Plants in pots with… Read more » Gardening in December December Gardening Tips Do not forget to check plants or fruits stored for next year. Discard soft material or any showing signs of fungus or rot. Thi… Read more »	Gardening in February This is a good month to fix and tune-up lawn mowers and other equipment before the season of needs arises. A new or sharpened blade will make the chore of mowing wet grass more tolerable. Get ready to start your seedlings indoors. Use a good mix for this activity, as regular potting or garden soil is usually too coarse for success. Prune roses late this month. Prune hard Hybrid Teas, lightly for others, especially climbers. A lime sulfur dormant spray afterwards will help control disease. It’s organic, but follow instructions. Prune fruit trees. Young trees need scaffold limb selection. Old trees need size and weight control plus space for sunlight. Look for bare root plants in the garden center. You will find bulbs for summer blooms such as Iris and Daylily as well as small fruits. Clematis and deciduous vines need pruning. Consult the Sunset Western Garden Book for clematis pruning if unsure of bloom time. Start seeds indoors for cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Use heat for germination and bright light for growth. Work cover crops planted last year into the garden. If soil is too wet, just cut or mow to control size. Excess goes onto the compost. On rainy days, start your landscape or garden planning for the coming year. Landscape architects, designers, consultants, and contractors need lead time to develop relationships and plans. Prune summer blooming shrubs now. Spring bloomers are pruned after flowering. Cuttings can be forced to bloom indoors as well.