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 »	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. Keep a watch on roses and vegetable crops. Wash with soapy water first, monitor and use sprays if needed. Ladybugs are available in garden centers. Azaleas and rhododendrons need attention. Fertilize with an acid fertilizer, prune azaleas if leggy or sparse after bloom, prune rhododendrons if necessary as blooms fade. Otherwise, gently pluck spent blooms. It is usually safe to plant annual flowers like petunias, marigolds, and impatiens. Watch the weather and protect if frost is predicted. Fertilize roses early this month and watch for black spots and mildew. Early detection and prevention is the key. Avoid overhead water practices. Good garden month for warm season vegetables, such as tomatoes, squash, and peppers in late May. Also a good time for cool season starts, such as potatoes and onions if these have not been planted yet. New plantings deserve protection from slug damage. Options include barriers, physical removal, trappings with beer or use bait. Always be sure to protect pets from baits! This is a good month for soil improvements in the garden, landscape, or flower beds. It should be dry enough for tilling and moving organic material across established lawns. Best month for lawn aeration. This opens the soil for oxygen, irrigation, and fertilizer. This is much more effective than thatching, which often does more harm than good.