Timing landscaping projects can be tricky because certain times of year are better than others for certain projects. For example, putting up a scarecrow in December won’t scare many crows. Knowing what to do when can save you green while making your neighbors envious of your greenery.

Here’s a quick schedule of a general guideline from a seasonal standpoint of what do when (note: This is based on SE PA/ Mid-Atlantic weather patterns. If you are reading this in Cali, it might not help you, bro):

January = time to take a month off. Shop for any tools and seeds you didn’t get in the previous year!

February = now is a good time to plan what projects you might want to do. Contacting a landscape designer (cough, cough, ECOworks?) and conducting a walkthrough can initiate the groundwork for any planting, maintenance or hardscaping projects that will enhance and improve your property. You can also begin hardscaping projects as long as the ground isn’t frozen and whoever is doing the hardscaping has emerged from hibernation

March = Now is a great time of year to prune large branches from larger, woody plants. Although you can plant potted plants any time of year the ground isn’t frozen or overly soggy, now is a great time to start planting perennials and woody plants

April = assuming the last frost date has passed, now you can start planting more tender annuals, particularly spring vegetables, as well as sow vegetable seeds for late spring/ early summer germination. April is also a necessary time to begin removing early Spring blooming plants of disinterest (commonly referred to as weeds). Remove flower heads where necessary (ex. dandelions) and dig up and properly dispose of invasive plants (Ex. lesser celandine). Continue pruning and planting if need be.

May = continue planting, pruning and weeding as needed. Once you have weeded most of the early Spring weeds, May is a good time to apply weed-free mulch to inhibit or at least reduce the emergence of summer annuals and future spring weeds. Depending on plant and time of germination, you can also begin to apply organic fertilizers.

June = Continue with all other tasks, focusing on removing summer germinating weeds. June is an ideal time to prune early-Spring flowering woody plants such as azaleas, rhododendrons and lilacs. You can also start deadheading any plants, such as salvias, that will bloom throughout the growing season

July = Continue with other tasks. Now is a good time to focus on any irrigation issues. July is also a good time to improve soil drainage of any typically moist sites since the ground will be driest now

August = Continue with other tasks. Focus on planting fall germinating vegetable crops and transplants

September = Continue with other tasks. If you have fruiting trees or shrubs, feel free to begin light pruning of crossing branches for plants that have already fruited (Ex. peaches, plums). Now is also a good time to begin to plant potted perennials for the next season.

October = Continue with other tasks. Begin focusing on more extensive pruning. If the weather is cool enough (<50 degrees F during the day), begin planting bareroot perennials and woody plants if that is what you purchased.

November = Continue with other tasks. November is a prime time to clean up and potentially mulch leaves (great for mulch, compost and jumping into!), prune back perennials after the first frost and apply mulch in the fall if you haven’t done so in the Spring or to top off the Spring effort.

December = Wind down with other tasks until ground is frozen. Clean up property as you see fit. Prepare all outdoor furniture and tools for winter storage. Put your arms over your head, shout at the top of your lungs and say “I did it!”

This is a general guideline that is subject to change based on the length of the project involved, availability, who is doing the work and, of course, the weather. Now, you have a clearer picture of what projects to do when when working on your property. If you would like any more information, feel free to contact ECOworks to make your property work for you!