| SPRING |
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Notes |
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March |
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| Get a head start on April if you can |
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If weather permits |
| Do soil tests for proposed planting areas |
Soil needs to support plants |
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April |
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| Pick up yard of debris |
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Sticks, trash, dog doo doo |
| Clear out under decks, etc. |
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Remove blown leaves |
| Rake yard |
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Wait until it’s dried out |
| Rake up sand and debris by street |
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Use shop vacuum to collect sand |
| Cut dead plant foliage & tall grasses |
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Remove just above fresh growth |
| Clear mulch areas |
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Freshen with new material |
| Preen mulch areas |
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Keeps weed growth down |
| Put down spring lawn fertilizer |
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Unless you are over seeding |
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| Clean out gutters |
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Be careful on ladders |
| Sweep chimney |
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Fireplace, wood burning stove |
| Clean fireplace |
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So it’s clean all summer long |
| Replace furnace filter |
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Do it now so you don’t forget |
| Trim tree branches near roof |
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Prune when trees are dormant |
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DON’T prune oaks from April-June |
| Change oil in mower if not done |
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Fresh oil keeps it running longer |
| Change sparkplug, clean air filter |
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It will run much better |
| Sharpen blade |
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Crisp cuts are healthier for grass |
| Set cut at 3″ to 3 1/2″ |
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Keeps the roots cool and moist |
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| Spike fertilizer evergreens |
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Spurs fresh growth |
| Over seed lawn |
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*DON’T fertilize with pre-emergent |
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| Look for noxious weeds |
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Like Creeping Charlie |
| Spray Charlie when blooming |
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Most vulnerable |
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| Wash furniture cushions |
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Need to buy new ones? |
| Stain wood furniture if needed |
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They’ll look new |
| Replace deck boards |
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Rotten boards are dangerous |
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| Plan garden & container plantings |
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Get a good start on planning |
| Amend soil with compost |
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High in nutrients |
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| Check fire extinguisher by BBQ |
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Buy one if you don’t have one |
| Clean BBQ |
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Buy new scouring pads |
| Replace grates and burners if needed |
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A must if they’re bad |
| Drain grease tray |
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Do often during summer |
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| Consider landscape lighting options |
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Light-up your creativity |
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May |
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| Roll out hose and run water |
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Look for weak spots |
| Wash off driveway, patios and decks |
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Power wash if possible |
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| Wash windows |
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Give them a sparkle |
| Sweep eves, vents and corners |
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Get rid of cobwebs |
| Seal decks |
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Do on calm clear day |
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| Buy containers and other fixtures |
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Look for accents for outside |
| Plant annuals & containers |
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Wait until annual frost out date |
| Divide plants such as hostas |
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Double your plants for free |
| Freshen mulch areas if needed |
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Makes plants stand out |
| Use support stands for peonies |
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Keeps them standing tall |
| Turn compost pile if you have one |
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Accelerates decomposition |
| Remove dead blooms from plants |
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Promotes new blooms |
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| SUMMER |
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Notes |
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June |
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| Apply second lawn fertilizer |
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As directed on package |
| Water as necessary to maintain look |
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Lawns need 1″ of water per week |
| Remove dead blooms from plants |
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Keep’m blooming |
| Water plants as necessary |
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Plants need 1″ of water per week |
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July |
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| Turn compost pile |
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Throw in some black dirt |
| Water lawn as desired |
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Or let it go dormant in July’s heat |
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Let grass remain tall. Avoid mowing |
| Remove dead blooms from plants |
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Keep’m blooming |
| Water plants as necessary |
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Plants need 1″ of water per week |
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August |
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| Apply third application to lawn |
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As directed on package |
| Over seed lawn |
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Look for disease, grubs & pests |
| Remove dead blooms from plants |
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Keep’m blooming |
| Water plants as necessary |
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Plants need 1″ of water per week |
| Place fall plants like Mums in gardens |
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Add to containers too |
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| FALL |
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Notes |
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September |
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| Turn compost pile |
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Keep mixing |
| Mow and water lawn as needed |
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Grass should be looking good |
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October |
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| Give trees and shrubs a good watering |
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Do before it gets cold |
| Leave seed plants for winter bird food |
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Leave up for bird habitat |
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| Apply lawn winterizer late in month |
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Most important lawn feeding |
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November |
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| Cut, collect foliage after frost |
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Includes hostas |
| Place leaves on perennial crowns |
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Mulch crowns for winter |
| Clean out gutter |
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Use scraper and hose |
| Drain and rollup hose |
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Do after cleaning gutters |
| Blow out all irrigation and water pipes |
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Make sure it’s all out |
| Empty pond and blow out lines |
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Winterize as directed |
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| Blow out under decks, etc. |
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Remove all leaves |
| Rake or mulch leaves |
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Mulch leaves if possible |
| Turn compost pile |
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One last time |
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| Cover furniture, speakers, etc. |
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Protect from snow |
