January
- Tree pruning
- Plant fruit trees
- Water late in day and in advance of freezes
February
- Crape myrtle pruning
- Prune back monkey grass, liriope, roses
- Plant roses
- First crabgrass preventer application
- First broadleaf weed preventer application
March
- Start mowing and bagging dormant grass
- Aeration of lawn – promotes root growth, decreases thatch (also can be done in Autumn)
- Treat St. Augustine grass "brown patch" fungus as soon as it appears
- Plant spring color: Begonias, vincas, impatients, marigolds, Mexican heather, etc.
April
- First fertilizer application for lawn (weed & feed if broadleaf weeds are present)
- Tree and shrub food application
- Plant caladium bulbs – mid to late April, after last frost
- OrthoMax fire ant killer – supposedly prevents new mounds all season
- Grub killer application
May
- General insecticide application (for Bermuda mites & chinch bugs especially)
- April and May best time if really need to cut shrubs way back/down
June
- Second fertilizer application for lawn
- Spray infested shrubs with Permethrin; aphids on crapes with Malathion
- Second crabgrass/broadleaf pre-emergent/weed preventer
- Mulch to retain moisture, stop weeds, protect plants
July
- Apply granular insecticide again
- Still able to plant annuals like moss rose, periwinkles, sun coleus, zinnias
- Still able to plant perennials like hostas, hibiscus, daylilies, salvia
- Water early and deep (all summer)
August
- Treat for grassy, perennial weeds (i.e., nutgrass, dalligrass)
September
- Reduce watering – especially if you have St. Augustine grass!
- Second tree and shrub food application
- SevenDust (carbaryl) – only if grubworms are a problem
- Clean out gutters before October rains
- Third fertilizer – winterizer application (before mid-September if St. Augustine)
- Third crabgrass preventer
- Third broadleaf weed preventer
October
- Treat St. Augustine grass "brown patch" fungus before grass goes dormant
- If St. Augustine has yellowish color, spread thin layer of Canadian peat moss over lawn
- Over seed lawn with perennials rye grass – mostly done on commercial properties
- Fall color planting: pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, ornamental kale & cabbage
November
- Plant shrubs & trees to establish good root system during winter
- Plant wildflower seeds
December
- Re-mulch flower beds to stop winter weeds, protect root system
- Water late in day and in advance of freezes