Spring

General clean up of property. Cut back, remove, and compost the dried perennials and grasses in early spring or late winter, just before the bulbs begin to poke through. Check for early growing weeds, such as chickweed. Apply pre-emergent herbicide to landscape beds. Re-edge beds with spade. Add mulch where necessary. Once the risk of frost has passed, plant annuals in your terrace containers and planters.

Summer

Keep an eye out for weeds and remove them as you walk through your planting areas. Prune by hand trees and shrubs. Redefine the edge of beds with spade and cultivate existing mulch. Water by hand as necessary.

Fall

Plant the spring-blooming bulbs among late-growing grasses and perennials, such as Pennisetum and Rudbeckia. Place them between plants and put several in a hole or broadcast them over a large area and plant them where they fall. Do not cut back the dried perennials now, because they make the winter garden beautiful and provide food and give cover to birds and other wildlife. Prune your trees and shrubs as necessary. Remove leaf and debris from the garden.

Winter

The maintenance year is over. Now sit back and enjoy the beautiful “dried bouquet” of your winter garden until it’s time to cut back the dried perennials and grasses. Then the bulbs can take over and start a glorious new garden cycle.

View our full annual maintenance schedule.