A TIMETABLE FOR YOUR LAWN AND GARDEN
This chart shows the best time of year to do a particular lawn or garden task. Other “okay” times are listed, too. If there’s a time that is not good, it is noted. This is only a guideline. Minnesota’s unpredictable weather should always be considered. Check with the friendly experts at Dundee Nursery if you are in doubt.
LAWNS
TASK BEST TIME OKAY TIME NOT NOW
Fertilize 3 times per year: May, Can be done twice in Late June through
early September, very spring (at 6 week August - too hot!
late October. intervals) but usually
not necessary.
Aerate Aug. 20 - Sept. 20 Spring, after lawn has Hot part of
thawed & dried but summer or late
before heat sets in. fall.
Dethatch Aug. 20 - Sept. 20 Spring, same as for Same as for
aerating. aerating.
Pre-Emergent About May 1. If spring Second application may Too early in
Crabgrass is very warm, do in late be necessary 4-6 weeks spring or after
Control Apr. If cool, do in early after first if crabgrass crabgrass
May - before 10th. was bad last year. germinates.
Post-Emergent Mid to late June while Only works if
Crabgrass plants are very young. crabgrass is
Control very young.
Broadleaf Late summer to early Spring, once plants are Too early in
Weed Control fall. actively growing. spring or when
very hot. Never
when windy or if
rain is predicted.
Seed Grass Aug. 15 - Sept. 10 Spring. Dormant When very hot in
seeding can be done mid-Sept. to late
in very late fall. fall.
Sod Grass After spring growth Just about anytime Not later than
starts & soil warms. during the growing October.
season if watering is
consistent.
TREES AND SHRUBS
TASK BEST TIME OKAY TIME NOT NOW
Fertilize Spring through July 4. Late fall when plant Not later than
is dormant. October.
Prune See Dundee Fact Sheet "Pruning Guide -Timing" for specifics. In
general, shrubs that flower in spring should be pruned right after
flowering. Shrubs that flower in summer/fall should be pruned in the
spring before they leaf out.
Plant Bareroot Spring until about June 1. After about
Trees & Shrubs June 1.
Plant Spring or early fall. Can be successfully planted any time during
Container or the growing season, including mid-summer.
B&B Trees & Do not plant evergreens after about Oct. 10.
Shrubs
Transplant Early fall. Spring, before growth Hot part of
starts. summer.
Wrap Tree Late Oct. through Do not leave
Trunks mid to late April. wrap on during
summer.
Stake First growing season after planting. Only needed if After first
site is particulary windy. season. Trees
get brittle if
staked too long.
GARDENS
TASK BEST TIME OKAY TIME NOT NOW
Plant Some plants (i.e. pansies, broccoli, onions, spinach, radishes, etc.)
are cold tolerant and can be planted in mid to late April. Most should
be planted after last frost (usually around May 15 in the Twin Cities.)
Some (such as peppers and tomatoes) are quite sensitive and should
not be planted until about June 1. Many plants can be started indoors
earlier. See the Dundee Fact Sheet "Spring Garden and Vegetable
Planting Guide" for more details.
Transplant Spring for late-season bloomers. Early fall for spring Hot part of
Perennials blooming plants. summer.
Fertilize Spring Late Fall. Summer to
Perennials early fall.
Uncover Using spring weather as a guide, remove mulch in stages. All mulch
Roses and shouldn't be removed until late April-early May. Rose cones and/or
Perennials heavy mulch should be removed when weather is warm in early spring
to avoid disease problems. Fluff up remaining mulch to increase air
circulation.
Prune Major pruning in spring Minor pruning can be Late summer
Roses after uncovering. done if necessary when to early fall.
when roses are covered
in fall.
WATERING
TASK BEST TIME OKAY TIME NOT NOW
Lawns Newly seeded or sodded lawns need consistent, Do not water so
frequent watering. Eastablished lawns need the late in the day
equivalent of 1" per week. It's best to water that the grass
deeply, but spaced watering out. Do NOT lightly stays wet after
sprinkle established lawns every day. dark.
Gardens Early in the day. Do not water so
late in the day
that the plants
stay wet after
dark.
Trees and Newly planted bareroot plants need frequent watering (possibly every
Shrubs day, depending on weather and soil conditions) for the first few weeks.
Slowly back off as the plant establishes. Newly planted container-grown
or ball and burlapped plants should not need daily watering unless their
root system is quite small, the ground quite sandy, or the weather very
hot and windy. In most cases, watering about every 3-7 days for the
first few weeks is recommended. Always check the soil before watering.
More plants die due to overwatering than underwatering. Back off on
the watering as the plant becomes established. Established plants need
about 1" per week. Water deciduous plants less in the fall but continue
to water evergreens until the ground freezes (about Dec. 15 in the Twin
Cities area.) _________________________________________________________________________ |
