Throughout the Year

• In cleaning your garden, use blowers ONLY on paving and lawns to preserve mulch and topsoil
• Do not shear any plants other than hedges and boxwood type plants
• Deadhead (remove) spent flowers to prevent plants from putting energy into producing seed instead of more flowers!
• Never remove more than 1/3 of plant when pruning and always follow pruning with fertilizing and watering
• Mow lawns often enough to avoid mowing more than ½ the height
• Adjust irrigation system to reflect weather pattern throughout the year
• Always water early in the morning to reduce evaporative water loss and avoid creating conditions favorable to disease
• Maintain mulch at a depth of 2"-3" to help plants survive winter cold, summer heat, control weeds, and retain moisture and air exchange. But, do not cover the plant crown with mulch in order to avoid decay.
• Control slugs and snails throughout the year
• Remove weeds
• Once a week MINIMUM, grab some coffee or tea and stroll through your garden to assess the health of your plants