photo by: Shutterstock Photo

Early spring is a popular time to remulch landscape beds, especially just after cleaning up perennials and weeds.

The arrival of the new year is a good time to set goals and make a plan for yard and garden tasks for the year. Maybe you have new trees to plant, old trees that desperately need pruning, a landscape bed ready for renovation, or this will finally be the year to start a vegetable garden. Whatever the case, knowing when to work on these different tasks is a big key to success. Here’s a guide for when to perform general garden chores appropriate for the Lawrence area.

Late winter to very early spring is the best time to prune trees, especially fruit trees. Study up on pruning techniques to shape and thin fruit trees and small ornamentals, or contact a certified arborist to get on their work list for larger trees. Small fruit plants including grapes, raspberries and blackberries should also be pruned in February to March.

The dormant season is also a good time to build new landscape, fruit or vegetable beds and to incorporate compost into new or existing beds. Avoid working soil when temperatures are below freezing or when the soil is saturated from precipitation.

As the first days of spring arrive, clean up the brown foliage from perennial flowers and ornamental grasses. If you want to fertilize perennial flowers, this is the best time to do it. You could also put down grass seed on the lawn if you missed doing it in the fall. But remember, fall is the best time to plant fescue, which is the best-performing cool-season lawn grass in this region.

Early spring is a popular time to remulch landscape beds, especially just after cleaning up perennials and weeds. This task is one that can really be done any time of year, but spring is nice because perennial plants are easier to mulch around in spring than they are in summer or fall.

Finish building those new beds in time to for planting. Lettuce, spinach, arugula, potatoes, onions and other cool-season crops can be planted mid-March to late April.

Also during mid- to late-spring, mow the lawn as needed. Pull weeds as they appear in the landscape and garden to stay ahead of them. If mulch is disturbed from weed removal, reapply it to keep more weeds from germinating.

Wait until at least April 15 (the average date of last frost in the Lawrence area) to plant annual flowers and warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers. Although many gardeners are anxious to get these crops in the ground, later is often better. Plant growth for these crops is highly dependent on soil temperature, and plants that are planted later in warm soil will catch up with ones that are planted in cold soil. You can plant through Memorial Day for many warm-season crops or even later for sweet potatoes, pumpkins, and other short season, heat-loving plants.

Lilacs, forysthias, and quince (especially big old ones) that need a size reduction or shaping can be pruned in late spring right after they bloom. With lilacs, removing some of the big, old canes can encourage new shoot growth that means more flowers the following year.

As the days warm and summer sets in, the main garden tasks are mowing and weeding. Raise the mower height when summer sets in to help grass survive the stress of summer. Continue to pull weeds as needed in landscape and garden beds, especially before the weeds produce seed for a new crop.

For landscapes and gardens, water new plantings as needed to help them establish. Avoid watering established plants unless necessary to help them develop strong deep root systems. Remember to water deeply and infrequently whenever possible, and only over extended dry periods. For lawns, watering schedules depend on the look you wish to achieve. Deep and infrequent watering is still a good rule. If lawn aesthetics are unimportant, let it go dormant over the summer.

Summer is the time when insect and disease pressure is highest. Check plants regularly for insect damage or signs of disease. If you find insects, try to identify them before taking action to determine if they are beneficial or the ones causing the damage. If you find symptoms of disease, try to identify it to determine the best course of action or if treatment is an option.

In late summer, plant a second crop of spinach, arugula and other cool-season crops to harvest in fall.

Plan to start fall work around Labor Day or in early September. Renovate the lawn by aerating, overseeding and fertilizing if needed. Clean up plants that have succumbed to the summer heat. Keep mowing, weeding and watering as needed. Plant mums and asters for fall color.

As fall progresses, dig sweet potatoes and harvest the last fruits and vegetables. Plant garlic to be harvested the following spring. Plant tulips and daffodils for blooms the following spring. Rake or mow leaves as needed.

Fall is also a good time to build new beds, add compost, and apply fresh mulch.

Then, as winter arrives, clean up and stow tools, lawn and garden equipment, flower pots, etc.

easier to mulch around in spring than they are in summer or fall.

Finish building those new beds in time for planting. Lettuce, spinach, arugula, potatoes, onions and other cool-season crops can be planted mid-March to late April.

Also during mid- to late-spring, mow the lawn as needed. Pull weeds as they appear in the landscape and garden to stay ahead of them. If mulch is disturbed from weed removal, reapply it to keep more weeds from germinating.

Wait until at least April 15 (the average date of last frost in the Lawrence area) to plant annual flowers and warm-season vegetables such as tomatoes and peppers. Although many gardeners are anxious to get these crops in the ground, later is often better. Plant growth for these crops is highly dependent on soil temperature, and plants that are planted later in warm soil will catch up with ones that are planted in cold soil. You can plant through Memorial Day for many warm-season crops or even later for sweet potatoes, pumpkins and other short-season, heat-loving plants.

Lilacs, forysthias and quince (especially big old ones) that need a size reduction or shaping can be pruned in late spring right after they bloom. With lilacs, removing some of the big, old canes can encourage new shoot growth that means more flowers the following year.

As the days warm and summer sets in, the main garden tasks are mowing and weeding. Raise the mower height when summer sets in to help grass survive the stress of summer. Continue to pull weeds as needed in landscape and garden beds, especially before the weeds produce seed for a new crop.

For landscapes and gardens, water new plantings as needed to help them establish. Avoid watering established plants unless necessary to help them develop strong deep root systems. Remember to water deeply and infrequently whenever possible, and only over extended dry periods. For lawns, watering schedules depend on the look you wish to achieve. Deep and infrequent watering is still a good rule. If lawn aesthetics are unimportant, let it go dormant over the summer.

Summer is the time when insect and disease pressure is highest. Check plants regularly for insect damage or signs of disease. If you find insects, try to identify them before taking action to determine if they are beneficial or the ones causing the damage. If you find symptoms of disease, try to identify it to determine the best course of action or if treatment is an option.

In late summer, plant a second crop of spinach, arugula and other cool-season crops to harvest in fall.

Plan to start fall work around Labor Day or in early September. Renovate the lawn by aerating, overseeding and fertilizing if needed. Clean up plants that have succumbed to the summer heat. Keep mowing, weeding and watering as needed. Plant mums and asters for fall color.

As fall progresses, dig sweet potatoes and harvest the last fruits and vegetables. Plant garlic to be harvested the following spring. Plant tulips and daffodils for blooms the following spring. Rake or mow leaves as needed.

Fall is also a good time to build new beds, add compost and apply fresh mulch.

Then, as winter arrives, clean up and stow tools, lawn and garden equipment, flower pots, etc.

— Jennifer Smith is a former horticulture extension agent for K-State Research and Extension and horticulturist for Lawrence Parks and Recreation.