Winter Landscape Checklist
1/31/2015If you are a list maker like us, you will appreciate this winter landscape checklist. I must admit... We did not create it, but I do plan to use it. Our homeowner's association provided it, and I thought it would be helpful to share.
JANUARY
1. Dormant spray deciduous trees and shrubs with anti-desicant.
2. Prune trees and shrubs that have become too large or out-of-shape.
3. Inspect plants, shrubs and trees and remove any damaged or dead wood.
4. Inspect planting areas and remove any debris or litter.
5. Check staking and weather protection of first year plants.
6. Leaf and litter removal on all lawn areas and hard surface areas done weekly.
7. Mulch bed areas as needed to replenish mulch levels.
8. Spray appropriate herbicides on winter weeds around January 15th.
9. Take soil samples. Send to lab for testing and report. Test for N,P,K, and pH.
10. Transplant any trees and shrubs. Conduct during last week of month.
11. Replace damaged or dead trees and shrubs.
12. Check color beds, remove spent blooms.
13. Fertilize annual color plantings every two weeks.
14. Check drainage of planted areas, correct if excessive water persists.
15. Protect plants susceptible to winter damage where possible during extreme cold periods.
16. Mow lawn areas every ten days if overseeded with winter grass.
FEBRUARY
1. Prune trees and shrubs that have become too large or out-of-shape.
2. Inspect plants, trees, and shrubs and remove any damaged or dead wood.
3. Inspect planted areas and remove any debris or litter.
4. Check staking and weather protection of first year plants.
5. Leaf and litter removal on all lawn areas and hard surface areas weekly.
6. Mulch bed areas as needed to replenish mulch levels.
7. Apply pre-emerge herbicides to lawn areas to prevent crabgrass (Balan).
8. Apply pre-emerge herbicides to lawn areas to prevent weeds (Treflan).
9. Replace damaged or dead trees or shrubs.
10. Check moisture level in all planted areas and water if necessary (weekly).
11. Protect plants susceptible to cold damage during excessive cold periods if possible.
12. Mow lawn area every ten days if overseeded with winter grasses.
13. Remove any tree wrap or staking on established plantings.
14. Spot spray any existing weeds with appropriate herbicide.
15. Establish edge on all bed areas.
16. Order summer annuals.
17. Check color beds, remove spent blooms.
18. Fertilize annual color plantings.
19. Cut back liriope and mondo to allow new growth to come out and remove winter damage.
MARCH
1. Prepare any planters or beds for spring annuals.
2. Thatch and/or verticut all lawn areas as required.
3. Mow and trim all lawn areas if required.
4. Inspect plants, trees, and shrubs and remove any damaged or dead wood.
5. Litter removal on all lawn areas and hard surface areas.
6. Check moisture level in all planted areas and water if necessary (weekly).
7. Reseed where necessary.
8. Prune shrubs where necessary to maintain shape and form (do not shear).
9. Check color beds, remove spent blooms.
10 Fertilize annual color plantings.
11. Apply preventative insecticide/fungicide spray to all plantings.