January - December

Landscaping Maintenance

Month-By-Month Calendar for

Guide to Keeping Your Lawn and Landscaping Healthy and Beautiful

Guide to Landscaping MaintenanceMonthly Calendar of What to Do When

June n Spring trimming of trees & shrubs after blooming

n Evergreen tree & shrub insect control

n Borer treatment

n Foundation insecticide control

n Mulch all planting beds with premium hardwood shredded mulch

n Geese control3

n Deadheading of Perennials and Annuals

n Fertilize planting beds

January n Prune dormant deciduous trees and shrubs

n Build a maintenance plan for the year

n Take down holiday decorations

n Clear heavy snow drifts from Evergreens to reduce breakage

n During winter drought periods, water newly planted trees and shrubs. Tree bags work well when temps are above freezing.

n Check that gardening tools and equipment are in good repair—sharpen and repair mowers, edgers, sprayers, garden hoses, hand tools, saws, etc.

February n Dormant oil application

n Gypsum application for turf repair (if no snow)

n Prepare lawn equipment– change oil and gas

n Prune dormant deciduous trees and shrubs

March n Step 1- Fertilizer, Crabgrass, Broadleaf weed

control (weather permitting)

n Spring clean up

n Gypsum application for turf repair (if no snow)

n Plant spring annuals in beds & containers

May n Step 2 – Fertilizer & Broadleaf weed control

n Zimmerman Pine moth spray

n Irrigation system start up & RPZ Certification

n Pond start up

n Plant Summer Annuals in beds & containers

n Mulch all planting beds with premium hardwood shredded mulch

n Water new transplants and newly planted shrubs and trees unless rainfall is abundant

n Apply pre-emergent

n Fertilize planting beds

n Emerald Ash Borer treatment (May through July)

April n Spring Core aeration

n Overseeding

n Spring clean up

n Dethatching

n Spade edge all beds

n Divide and move Perennials

8595 Pyott Road, Suite C, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 | www.rycolandscaping.com | (815) 459-7926

July n Japanese Beetle spray

n Treat Roses for Black Spot

n Spray Evergreens for Bagworms

n Insect & mosquito control

n Foundation insecticide control3

n Geese control3

n Deer repellent3

n Irrigation system monthly maintenance

n Continue Emerald Ash Borer treatment (May through July)

n Step 3 – Fertilizer & Broadleaf weed control & grub proofing preventative

n Prune back any groundcover overhanging

curbs or sidewalks

n Supplemental water (Use Gator Bags or deep root technique)

n Deadheading of Perennials and Annuals

n Fertilize planting beds

March(Continued) n Prune dieback from roses or other shrubs that have

winter damage

n Plant tender spring bulbs (Gladiolus, Dahlias, etc)

n Change outdoor lighting timers (Daylight Savings)

November n Deadhead and trim back tired annuals and Perennials

n Horticultural pruning

n Stop deadheading and cutting roses to form hips

n Fall clean-up (remove leaves from lawn & planting beds, cut back Perennials)

n Dormant oil application for Aphids, Scale or Mites on trees and shrubs3

n Wilt proofing of Broadleaf and Coniferous Evergreens1

n Protect trees and shrubs from winter damage with mulch, burlap or trunk wrapping

n Thoroughly water trees & shrubs before ground freezes

n Geese control3

n Deer repellent3

August n Japanese Beetle spray & insect control

n Deadhead and trim back tired annuals and Perennials, lightly fertilize

n Tree and shrub trimming

n Horticultural pruning

n Foundation insecticide control3

n Mosquito control3

n Geese control3

n Deer repellent3

n Irrigation system monthly maintenance

n Supplemental watering (Use Gator Bags or deep root technique)

n Stop deadheading Roses

October n Fall Core aeration

n Fall clean-up (remove leaves from lawn & planting beds, cut back Perennials)

n Stop deadheading Roses to form hips

n Dig and store tender bulbs such as Dahlias, Caladiums, Cannas and Gladiolus after the first frost2

n Power rake, seed or sod lawn to repair damage3

n Fall planting of spring bulbs3

n Replant flower containers for fall

n Irrigation system shut-down

n Pond shut down

n Deep root feeding

n Geese control3

n Deer repellent3

n Remove leaves from gutters

n Prepare snow blower or sign-up for snow removal service September n Fall planting of spring bulbs3

n Insect & mosquito control

n Plant fall Annuals in beds & containers

n Step 4 – Fertilizer & Broadleaf weed control

n Geese control3

n Power rake lawn to repair damage

n Irrigation system monthly maintenance

n Deer repellent3

December n Dormant oil application for Aphids, Scale or Mites

on trees and shrubs3

n Prune dormant deciduous trees, especially Oak, Elm, Maple and Birch

n Drain gas from tiller, lawn mower, and other gasoline-powered equipment

n Deer repellent3

November (Continued) n Transplant trees and shrubs while dormant

n Cover and protect roses after a hard frost

n Drain outdoor water pipes

n Store patio & lawn furniture inside over the winter

n Change outdoor lighting timers (daylight savings)

n Prepare your mower and equipment for winter storage – add fuel stabilizer to gas tank or drain fuel from tank, disconnect spark plug, sharpen blades for next season.

n Step 5 – Fertilizer & Broadleaf weed control

n Plant winter décor in beds and containers

8595 Pyott Road, Suite C, Lake in the Hills, IL 60156 | www.rycolandscaping.com | (815) 459-7926

1once there is no moisture in the foliage2average first frost date is October 15 in our area

3denotes tasks that can be performed during any of the months indicated

Maintenance Terms and Definitions

Core Aeration - Provides roots with needed oxygen to stimulate growth and improve fertilizer absorption. Decreases the level of water runoff by 30% - 50%.

Grub Proofing - This treatment will help prevent grubs from destroying your turf.

Insect Control - Applications to prevent pests from destroying turf, trees, and plantings. Can also do a different application to the foundation of home to keep pests out of the home in winter months.

Dormant Oil Application - A non-pesticide product is applied to trees and shrubs, including fruit trees, to smother insects as they overwinter.

Spring Leaf Disease Control - Prevents Apple Scab and Cedar Hawthorn Rust, in which the infected plant dies within two years. Three treatments prevent both of these diseases.

Zimmerman Pine Moth Control - One-time treatment prevents the infestation of larvae before hatching can occur.

Borer Treatment - A systemic insecticide application is injected to kill and prevent these beetles from boring into the bark of a tree to feed and lay their larvae.

Japanese Beetle Spray - This spray covers the plant leaf surface to control the beetle population. It will remain effective for fourteen days after application. Repeated applications may be necessary for full control.

Deep Root Feeding - Helps create vigorous root development and growth throughout the year.

Wilt Proofing - Wilt proofing protects evergreens from winter bum.

Mosquito Control - Balanced formula eliminates mosquitoes and their larvae for up to 14 days after application. Spraying should occur during the summer months, within one week of your event to be effective.

Deer Repellent - A liquid application that discourages deer from destroying plant material that should be applied a minimum of three times per season.

Geese Control - This non-toxic application discourages geese from gathering on your lawn with an undesirable taste and emits low ultraviolet lights to draw them to untreated areas. This is applied during the summer months.

Fertilization - Balanced fertilizers enriched with the proper amounts of nitrogen phosphorous and potash are applied to your turf.

Crabgrass Control - Applications are started early in the growing season to stop weeds before Spring germination.

Weed Control - Applications to control over 50 varieties of broadleaf weeds. Several applications may be required.

**RYCO does not treat plant material above thirty feet.

Watering Your New Landscape

As a general rule, the smaller the root system, the quicker it will dry out. New plants need supplemen-tal moisture for two to three seasons after planting. The first season is the most critical. Here are a few things to help you take care of your new investment.

LAWNS: For seeded lawns prior to germination, we recommend watering at least twice daily with a fine mist to keep the mulch and soil moist. It may be necessary to water several times on warm or windy days. After the seed has germinated, reduce the frequency of watering, but water heavier and to a greater soil depth. This will encourage root growth. Sodded lawns require heavy soakings in order to moisten the soil. Proper watering should occur once per day for approximately 1 inch to 1.5 inches. Generally, once the lawn is established, it needs 1 to 1.5 inches/week. An easy way to measure to ensure you are watering the proper amount is to use a rain gauge or just set an empty tuna can on the lawn. It measures an inch deep, so once full, you know you’ve watered an inch. It’s also best to water early in the day before the sun gets too hot.

TREES: Since the root ball is larger and is generally buried deeply in the ground, they need less fre-quent watering than sod or shrubs. A good deep soaking once every 6-7 days is usually sufficient. A good deep soaking means 15 minutes per tree, at a steady stream. Just set the end of the hose at the base of the tree and allow it to trickle into the soil.

SHRUBS: Shrubs need a deep soaking approximately every 3-4 days. Pay attention to the leaves; if they appear wilted and the ground is dry, please water the plant. Usually 5 minutes per shrub at a steady stream.

PERENNIALS & GROUNDCOVERS: These plants will require watering every two to three days because of their shallow root system. They will need less watering once they are established. The correct amount of water needed will vary, however, a good rule of thumb is to water until water starts to puddle up. If it has not rained for a week, you probably need to soak the bed for an hour or two. With perennials, you only need to water when the plant needs it.

ANNUALS: These are plants that are not hardy in our planting zone year around. Water thoroughly for the first 2 weeks after planting. Soil should feel moist to the touch at least 2” down. Let soil dry out between watering. A good watering guideline for new annual plantings is 3 times per week. Give them a good soaking and look for wilting (drooping). If they are not wilting, they do not need water. Wilting can happen quickly, especially on hot, windy days. Tip: watch for leaf color. Yellow and limp leaves signal over watering.

PLANTS IN BERMS: These plants will require more frequent watering. Water will drain faster due to the slope. Watch these plants carefully when weather is hot, dry or windy.

DRIP HOSES & IRRIGATION SYSTEMS: Please do not depend solely on these methods of watering as in most cases they may not be totally sufficient. If using, it is best to monitor every day to view any inconsistencies in watering, which may need correction.

www.rycolandscaping.com | (815) 459-7926