Native Landscape Maintenance Schedule

January

• Water during winter drought periods. Trees and shrubs planted in the previous season may suffer if not kept watered, even in winter.
• Check that gardening tools and equipment are in good repair—sharpen mower blades, sprayers, hand tools, saws, replace washers in garden hoses as needed, etc.
• Check on supplies of materials such as fertilizer, herbicide, garden equipment, etc.

February

• Prepare mowers, string trimmers, etc. for use. Clean air filters, new fuel, oil & filter change, perhaps tune-up, etc.
• Finish pruning trees, shrubs, and vines before leaf-out in late March.
• Most bare-rooted trees and shrubs should be planted in February or early March.
• Burn grass clumps where appropriate (stay away from buildings).

March

• Cut down and remove dead leaves, stems and seed heads from perennials and grasses.
• Mulch where needed to reduce weeding and maintain moisture.
• Plant trees, shrubs, vines, perennials and grasses through May. Recycle all plastic pots.
• Divide and move perennials and grasses March through May. Divide ferns while leaves are short to minimize damage to leaves.   
• If you have not done so by now, replace worn, punctured and broken parts on irrigation system before turning on in April.  

April

• Begin planting native perennials and grasses.
• Replace mulch which has been washed out with spring rains. Smooth mulch layer if it has been disturbed.
• Prune winter-damaged branches on shrubs or trees that have not begun to grow by late April/early May (especially beautyberry).
• In late April and early May cut back tall grasses, goldenrods, wild bergamot, sweet coneflower, garden phlox and asters by 50 percent to promote fuller and more compact growth.

May

• Attend Shaw Nature Reserve Wildflower Market on the second weekend (Friday evening and Saturday).
• Sweep or blow clean all walkways and curbs on a weekly basis.
• Nutsedge become visible during this month. Hand pull weekly or other removal.
• Water new transplants and newly planted shrubs and trees unless rainfall is abundant.

June

• Vigorous, unwanted limbs should be removed or shortened on new trees. Watch for forks in the main trunk and remove the least desirable leader as soon as it is noticed.
• Cultivate and mulch. Mulching will reduce about 70 percent of the summer yard maintenance.
• Continue to water new plantings deeply as needed. Apply at least one inch of water each time.
• Softwood cuttings from new growth of many shrubs will root if propagated in a moist shady spot.

July

• Expect some leaf fall, a normal reaction to summer drought, especially on red buckeye. Continue watering young plantings.
• Trim back any groundcover overhanging curbs or sidewalks.
• Remove diseased plant material (like deformed purple coneflower, blazing star and black-eyed Susan) by digging entire plant and disposing in trash. Composting will spread the virus.

August

• Water all key planting areas thoroughly unless rainfall has been adequate.
• Divide and replant spring blooming perennials.

September

• Attend Shaw Nature Reserve Wildflower Market in early September. 
• Check plants for signs of water stress, nutrient deficiency or disease. 
• Now through November is a good time to plant perennials and grasses mulched to a depth of 2–3 inches. For trees and shrubs be sure to mulch to a depth of 3–4 inches.
• Divide and move perennials and grasses September through October. 
• Mulch where needed to reduce weeding and maintain moisture and protect from winter freezing and drought.

October

• Scout property for invasive bush honeysuckle. Leaves are bright yellow with red berries in October.
• Mulch where needed to reduce weeding and maintain moisture and protect from winter freezing and drought.
• Remove tree leaves and litter from parking lots and turf areas or mow with mulching mower.
• Trim back any groundcover overhanging curbs or sidewalks.
• Keep dead leaves, stems and seed heads on perennials and grasses throughout winter to provide food and shelter for birds and overwintering insects.
• Clean out bluebird and other bird houses in fall or winter.

 November

• Continue to seek out and remove invasive species. More details
• Mulch leaves with mower and use as natural mulch. 
• Clean tree leaves and debris out gutters after tree leaves have fallen.
• Winterize hoses and outside water sources. Clean out rain barrels. Clean and/or remove water feature pumps.
• November 15 to March 15 is the best time to prune most trees and shrubs. Remove conflicting and crowded branches, dead limbs, double-leaders and unsightly branches.
• Add fuel stabilizer to engines before winter storage. Drain and store water hoses. Clean up all tools.
• Good time to make improvements to hardscapes (pavers, walls, stonework, woodwork, etc.)
• Order new trees from the Missouri Department of Conservation on their tree seedling orders website.

  December

• Review the year’s schedule and make plans for next year’s improvements.
• Continue pruning trees and shrubs. Prune any tree branches in parking lots and sidewalks that interfere with public safety.
• Provide cover for wildlife. Leave plant stalks and seed heads standing. Create brush piles. Leave deadwood for insects to overwinter.