Spring Check List

1. Clean/Tune-up/Sharpen power tools and hand tool; Inventory irrigation parts, hoses, sprayers etc..


2. Inventory garden necessities: soil amendments, mulches, fertilizers, herbicides, pesticides.


3. Start seeds indoors with sterile containers, pre-moistened seed starting soil, and a warm, sunny spot.


4. Rake and remove debris from lawn.


5. Dethatch lawn if needed, removing decaying grass and increasing air circulation.


6. Test soil pH of lawn (6.0-7.0), add lime if lower than 6.0.


7. Re-seed lawn if needed (grade, seed, rake it in, cover with 1/4" soil, use a starter fertilizer, water).


8. Fertilize lawn with a 1^st step fertilizer (Crabgrass pre-emergent) around Easter, or by the 3^rd to 4^th mowing. If you re-seeded use a pre-emergent safe for new lawns.


9. You can apply Ironite to lawns at this time too for additional nutrients and greening.


10. Wait to prune spring flowering trees and shrubs until after they bloom.


11. Prune to remove any suckering growth, water sprouts, crossing, weak or damaged limbs.


12. Most evergreens can be selectively pruned or sheared when their new growth or “candles" have developed.


13. Prune Roses, hydrangea, and clematis down to the uppermost bud that develops.


14. Cut back any remaining perennial stalks, including ornamental grasses down to 3"-6".


15. Rake and remove debris from garden beds, including any winter protection materials.


16. Start a compost pile with spring clippings and organic debris from your clean-up.


17. Test soil pH of garden (5.5-7.5), add lime if below 5.5, add soil sulfur if above 7.5.


18. Weed by hoeing, tilling, cultivation, or by using a herbicide like Round-up.


19. Soil in garden beds should be workable 10-12" deep, incorporate 2-3" of organic matter each spring.


20. Let garden soil settle for at least 2 weeks before planting.


21. Apply Bulb-tone or Bone Meal to spring bulbs as they emerge.


22. Fertilize your other perennials as they start to emerge with Plant-tone and/or Osmocote.


23. Transplant and divide mid- summer to fall bloomers in the spring (opposite season they bloom).


24. When transplanting always dig a large circumference and depth of a root ball to keep that plant viable. Re-plant in a well-drained, amended spot, fertilize, and keep watered (1" per week)


25. Start planting trees and shrubs when the soil is workable and they are available at the nursery.


26. Start planting perennials when soil has been cultivated and settled for 2 weeks, and they are available at the Nursery.


27. Plant tender annuals, vegetables, bulbs, tropicals, herbs and most seeds being started outdoors after the last chance of frost, and after the soil has been cultivated and settled for 2 weeks. When planting any plant, dig the hole the depth of the growers container, but slightly wider for back-fill space. Separate the roots of the plant, place in the hole and back-fill with a mixture of 2 parts existing clay soil and 1 part organic matter (planting mix, compost, etc.).


28. Mulch no more than 2" to suppress weed and retain soil moisture.


29. Cover any plant that has new, tender foliage of flowering growth with a light, breathable material (like frost cloth, row covers, or an old sheet) in the chance of frost or freeze.


30. Spray deers’ favorites with Liquid Fence.


31. Fill a spring container with early bloomers, pansies, primrose, and blooming bulbs.


32. Start cleaning-up houseplants, transplant now if needed, and fertilize come April 1^st.


33. Clean statuary, fountains and birdbaths with a diluted bleach solution in water.


34. Repair any miscellaneous plant supports, trellis, fencing, etc.