MONTHLY GARDEN TIPS

 

FEBRUARY

  • Enjoy flowering bulbs indoors to push away winter blues.  Try forcing forsythia or quince by cutting branches and placing in vases indoors.
  • Order hostas and strawberries for spring planting.
  • Now is still a good time to prune crapemyrtles

MARCH

  • Watch for early blooms on snowdrops and crocus.
  • Divide daylilies and Liriope.
  • Check to see that you have your planting supplies ready, stakes, tables, watering can, etc.

APRIL

  • Prune and fertilize azaleas after they bloom.
  • Fertilize bulbs as growth begins.
  • Replenish permanent mulch.
  • After last frost, plant tender bulbs for summer display, dahlias, cannas, gladiolus, callas and begonias

MAY

  • Do not remove bulb foliage. Let it [ripen] decline naturally.
  • Remove [seed heads] spent flower stalks from tulips and daffodils.
  • Put amaryllis outside in the garden for the summer months.
  • Be on the lookout for lacebugs on azaleas.  Treat early.

JUNE

  • Put in plant stakes and supports.
  • Clean up withered bulb foliage.  Recycle plant debris by composting.
  • Begonias and other summer bulbs begin to flower.
  • Put houseplants in a shady location outside for summer.

JULY

  • Fertilize summer-flowering bulbs.
  • Remove seed heads from lilies as petals drop.
  • Water plants during dry spells.

AUGUST

  • Divide irises.
  • Rejuvenate leggy petunias by cutting back and fertilizing.
  • Now is a great time to plant broccoli and cauliflower for an edible landscape.

Source: Dr. Dave Williams, Horticulturist, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, (334) 844-3032