WELCOME home Enhance your new home s landscape with help from the experts at SavATree
WELCOME home The first year spent in your new home can bring many surprises, especially in the landscape. Each month, there s something new to explore: an unexpected planting of daffodils, a tree s stunning fall foliage display, or a family of deer that takes up residence in your yard. As you learn the nuances of your landscape, the experts at SavATree and SavaLawn are invaluable resources of plant health care information. When it comes to pruning, fertilizing, insect and mite treatment, disease diagnosis and tree removal, it is important to have a trusted professional at-the-ready to complete the job properly and safely. However, there are many tasks you can tackle on your own. The following month-by-month landscape care calendar is a helpful tool that will remind you of the optimal timing for essential home gardening projects. For more information, don t hesitate to contact your arborist directly or sign up to receive SavATree s free biannual newsletter, Timely Tips, via email.
WINTER December Apply Winter Mulch: A layer of winter mulch placed on perennial beds after the first hard frost will conserve moisture, mitigate temperature fluctuations, and protect new plantings against heaving. Roses also benefit from a layer of compost or soil that covers the graft union. Protect Shrubs from Salt Damage: Install burlap screens around saltsensitive trees and shrubs (especially arborvitae and yews) growing near roadways. Protect Turf from Salt Damage: Your turf is also susceptible to salt damage. Use coarse sand or sawdust instead of salt on walks and driveways. Schedule Dormant Pruning: Many tree species such as elm and oak are best pruned in winter to avoid the spread of insect-borne diseases. Contact your arborist to schedule maintenance pruning. Celebrate Winter: Evergreen branches, colorful berries and dried seed heads can be collected and brought indoors to create a festive bouquet. January Protect Trees and Shrubs from Snow Damage: Heavy snow should be carefully brushed from trees and shrubs (especially arborvitae and hemlock) to prevent structural damage. Allow heavy ice accumulations to melt naturally. Defend Against Scale Insects: Scale insects are a common (although difficult to identify) pest found on trees and shrubs such as magnolia and euonymus. Contact your arborist to schedule an inspection. Prune Summer-Blooming Trees, Shrubs and Vines: Maintaining these plantings during the winter months encourages blossoms during the growing season. Do not prune spring-blooming specimens until July. Review Your Landscape s Design: Winter allows you to evaluate your landscape s structure. Start planning for future improvements. February Re-Apply Antidesiccants: These applications reduce the impact of drying winter winds. Reapply antidesiccants to broadleaf evergreens such as boxwood, holly, rhododendron, and yew. Prune Fruit Trees: Enhance production during the growing season by pruning fruit trees in winter. Inspect Cables and Lightning Protection Systems: Trees supported with cables and those fitted with lightning protection systems should be inspected before the growing season begins. Assess Your Landscape s Health: Ask your arborist to review the overall health of your landscape s trees, shrubs and turf before the growing season begins. Protect Spring Bulbs from Deer Browsing: Speak with your DeerTech specialist to learn about our Patented Three Circles of Protection. Prune Branches for Indoor Displays: Trim branches from trees and shrubs that bloom in early spring such as cherry, crabapple, forsythia, and quince for a late-winter indoor floral display.
SPRING March Remove Winter Mulch and Burlap Screens: When you can smell mud in the air, it s time to remove burlap screens from shrubs and winter mulch from perennial and rose beds. Cut-Back Perennials: Any ornamental grasses or perennial seed heads left standing through the winter should be trimmed to reveal new growth. Install New Trees: As temperatures warm, it s time to begin planting new tree specimens. Complete Winter Pruning: Talk to your arborist to schedule winter pruning of fruit and specimen trees before new growth emerges. Schedule Spring Fertilization: Be certain that your trees and shrubs are scheduled for spring fertilization applications. Watch For Early Blossoms: Keep an eye out for early bulbs such as crocus and squill (both are often planted in turf areas). In woodland areas, forbs such as trout lilies and violets will offer a welcome burst of color. April Plant Cold-Hardy Annuals: Pansies, snapdragons, stock, and other annuals can be placed in the landscape after the last hard frost. Plant Frost-Tolerant Vegetables: As soon as the soil can be worked, it is time to plant frost-tolerant vegetables such as broccoli, lettuce, cabbage, carrots, peas, radishes, and spinach. Complete Rejuvenation Pruning: Overgrown summer-flowering shrubs such as spirea and potentilla can be pruned severely in April to encourage new growth. Talk to your arborist to learn about rejuvenation pruning techniques. Install New Trees: April is a great month to plant new tree specimens. Maintain Mulch Beds Around Trees: Replenish mulch to a depth of 2 to 3 inches (but no more). Be careful not to pile mulch around a tree s trunk. Fertilize Lawn Areas: Apply nutrient-rich fertilizers to lawn areas to improve overall health. Schedule Spring Fertilization and ArborKelp Applications: Speak with your arborist to schedule spring fertilization and ArborKelp applications. May Install Annuals: Tender annuals can be added to the landscape after the season s last frost. Plant Perennials and Summer Bulbs: Before temperatures climb, enhance planting beds with new perennials and summer bulbs. Divide Fall-Blooming Perennials: Perennials that bloom late in the year such as mums and asters should be divided early in the growing season. Prune Lilacs: The best time to prune lilacs is after blossoms fade and before seed heads appear.. Install New Trees: Complete tree planting projects before the end of May. Increase Mowing Frequency: As temperatures increase and turf grass grows more quickly, increase mowing frequency. Do not remove more than one-third of the total leaf blade height each time you mow. A mower height between 2.5 and 3 inches is ideal during the growing season. Defend Against Lyme Disease: An integrated tick program can reduce tick populations and protect your family from Lyme Disease. Talk to your arborist to learn more.
SUMMER June Harvest Early Vegetables: Vegetables planted early in the season should be ready to harvest. Plant an additional crop of salad and root vegetables. Replenish Herb Gardens: New seedlings can be added to herb gardens. Protect Berries: Cover fruit bearing brambles and trees with netting to protect from hungry birds. Mark Location of Spring Bulbs: As tulips and daffodils blossoms fade and foliage begins to brown, mark their location for future reference. Divide Spring Bulbs: Any spring bulbs that are growing overcrowded can be divided after foliage has browned. Prune Shrubs and Hedges: After their first flush of growth, shrubs such as yews and junipers should be pruned to maintain their form. Trim Pines: Control the size of pine specimens by trimming their candles before new growth emerges. Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Trees, shrubs and turf should be monitored for pests, diseases and mechanical damage. July Maintain Ornamental Gardens: Weed and deadheaded gardens regularly. Remove Spring Bulb Foliage: Any brown foliage that remains from spring bulb displays can now be safely removed. Prune Climbing Roses: Climbing roses should be pruned to encourage repeat blooms. Prune Spring-Blooming Shrubs: Stimulate growth and maintain form by hand-pruning shrubs that bloom in the spring. Ask Your Arborist About ArborKelp: ArborKelp applications can help your landscape withstand summer heat. Contact your arborist. Water Trees: New trees may need small amounts of water (1 gallon per trunk inch) every 3 to 5 days during July and August. Established trees benefit from a thorough watering once per month when conditions are dry. Irrigate Lawns Judiciously: In the absence of regular precipitation, lawns should be watered deeply and infrequently. Increase Mower Height During Summer Stress: When summer rains grow scarce, maintain your turf at a height of 3 to 3.5 inches to insulate the soil from summer heat and reduce water loss. Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Trees, shrubs and turf should be monitored for pests, diseases and mechanical damage. Your arborist can help. August Prepare for Fall Planting: Fall is an ideal time to plant new trees, shrubs, perennials, and bulbs. Place orders in August to ensure timely delivery. Monitor Roses: Roses are particularly prone to insects and diseases. Monitor their health carefully and administer systemic root feedings as needed. Maintain Brambles: Old brambles can be cut back when plants finish fruiting. Schedule Hazard Reduction Pruning: Prepare for strong storms by scheduling hazard reduction pruning. Contact your arborist for details. Water Trees: New trees may need small amounts of water (1 gallon per trunk inch) every 3 to 5 days during July and August. Established trees benefit from a thorough watering once per month when conditions are dry. Irrigate Lawns Judiciously: In the absence of regular precipitation, lawns should be watered deeply and infrequently. Monitor for Pests and Diseases: Trees, shrubs and turf should be monitored for pests, diseases and mechanical damage. Your arborist can help.
FALL September Protect Annuals from Early Frost: As the seasons change, defend annuals from unexpected dips in temperature resulting in early frost. Plant Fall Annuals: Herald the season with mums, ornamental kale, and pansies. Install New Trees: Cooler temperatures provide the opportunity to plant new trees. Select species that adapt well to fall planting. Repair Lawns: Speak to your lawn care specialist to learn about slice seeding, aeration and overseeding to eliminate bare spots in your lawn Schedule Fall Fertilization: Contact your arborist to coordinate fall fertilization and other fall/winter tree services. Be Prepared for Inclement Weather: Arrange a Storm Damage Prevention Audit. Protect Broad-Leaf Evergreens from Deer Browsing: Speak with your DeerTech specialist to learn about our Patented Three Circles of Protection. October Keep Your Landscape Tidy: Remove fallen leaves from the landscape to eliminate insect harboring debris. Maintain Planting Beds: Clear annuals after the first hard frost. Transplant Shrubs: Improve your landscape with new shrub massings. Install New Trees: October is an ideal time to plant new trees. Select species that adapt well to fall planting. Protect Your Landscape from Deer Browsing: Speak with your DeerTech specialist to learn about our Patented Three Circles of Protection. November Prepare for Winter: Prune perennials. Leave interesting seed heads and ornamental grasses in the landscape to provide winter interest. Irrigate Plantings: Continue to water trees and evergreens beyond leaf drop until consistent freezing temperatures arrive. Mulch Evergreens: Apply a layer of mulch before the ground freezes to conserve moisture. Apply Antidesiccants: These applications reduce the impact of drying winter winds. Broadleaf evergreens such as boxwood, holly, rhododendron, and yew benefit greatly from the application. Maintain Lawn Areas: Continue to mow turf until the grass stops growing. Apply a winterizer treatment to promote lush growth in spring. Install New Trees: Complete fall tree planting projects before the end of the month. Safeguard Trees from Storm Damage: Install cable and bracing systems to help trees withstand winds and snow loads.
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