Winter is finally over, and there is a lot that needs to be done!
New mulch should be put down in all of your flower beds.
Pre-emergent weed killer should be applied to all beds. Snapshot or Preen are recommended. These products kill all the weeds trying to come up but will not harm your flowers or shrubs. Snapshot should be applied four times per year in April, May, September, and October. Preen should be applied every month April through October.
Any bare areas that may have occurred due to snow damage should be re-seeded. Fertilizing and seeding at the same time is the best way to do this. Instead of Weed and Feed, a 19-19-19 type of fertilizer is recommended. Weed and Feed will kill the new grass that is trying to come up. For sunny areas in your lawn, use an “Athletic” seed mix.
Sprinkler systems need to be turned on. At this point, it is recommended to set the water cycle to two times per week. After Memorial Day, it is recommended that you water three to four times per week. Water about 15-20 minutes per zone, and make sure to adjust any heads that may be broken.
Apply Scotts Step 2 to your lawn. This is a Weed and Feed for use on your lawn. Trees and shrubs should be fertilized with Scotts spikes or liquid fertilizer.
Annuals and perennials should be planted. Make sure not to plant any annuals until after Mother’s Day. You may even prefer to wait until after Memorial Day to be safe from the cold weather.
When planting your annuals and perennials, there are a few things to take into consideration:
- 1. How much sun and shade does this flower bed get?
- 2. How much water does this flower bed receive?
- 3. How long do you want the flower beds to have color?
Two popular sun loving annuals are Begonias and Petunias. Daylilies and Daisies are examples of sun loving perennials. Come into the store for more help choosing the right annuals and perennials for your garden.