Jan - Feb - March - April - May - June - July - Aug - Sept - Oct - Nov - Dec
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Tip from Katie Day: Hey all... I am just putting out the word that you your little trees and shrubs would like a drink during this exceptionally dry and warm year. When the snow is covering things, they get protection and moisture... not the case this year. So get the hose out and water your plants--especially newly planted ones. (3-2-09)
Late-March:
INDOORS – lettuce, Swiss chard, turnips, and sage. Also start annuals such as zinnias, dahlias (from seed), and marigolds. Start tuberous begonias, dahlias, callas and caladiums in 8” pots INDOORS.
OUTDOORS – Plant bare-root strawberries, pea seeds, potatoes, and onion sets.
Fertilize houseplants once a month or as directed on the fertilizer label.
Spray with dormant oil spray before mid-March to control scale. Also apply borer control if there is evidence of borers.
Prune plants at this time. Prune out dead wood to shape and renew the plant. DO NOT PRUNE plants that flower in the spring since you will be cutting off the blooms.
Cut back late summer flowering plants such as Russian Sage, Blue Mist Spirea and Butterfly Bush to encourage new lush growth. These plants bloom on this year’s growth so you are doing them a favor by encouraging new growth.
Remove all tree wrap mid to end of March. This prevents the harboring of insects and disease.
Remove mulch from strawberries as soon as new shoots appear. Thin to 9” apart. Do not use high nitrogen fertilizer on strawberries as this will result in soft berries.
Deep water all outdoor plants every 3 – 4 weeks when the ground is not frozen to help the plants survive our dry warm winters. This can be done on a nice sunny day using a soil needle or soaker hose.
Feed the birds – March is Colorado’s snowiest month, covering up their food source.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Early-April:
INDOORS – from seed: peppers, New Zealand spinach, collards, beets and eggplant.
OUTDOORS – from seed: carrots, kohlrabi, peas, radishes, sage, spinach (not New Zealand) and turnips.
Mid-April:
INDOORS – from seed: celery, garlic, leeks, onions, lima beans,
endive and escarole.
OUTDOORS – from seed: parsnip, beet, carrot, endive, escarole, lettuce,
pea, parsnip and turnips. From plants: Broccoli, brussels sprouts,
cauliflower, collards and kale. Also from plants and roots: Chinese
cabbage, parsley, spinach, broccoli, kale, and cauliflower, potatoes,
onion sets, garlic and asparagus roots.
Late-April:
OUTDOORS – Plant spring bulbs and roots – Ixia, lily of the valley, anemone, lilies, freesia, gladiolus, dahlia, canna and peonies. Plant hardened-off perennials.
When active growth appears on roses, fertilize with a “rose food” formulation according to the label. We recommend Mile High Rose Food.
Prune roses now (prune back to approximately 1-2 feet above the ground or to live wood). Don’t prune climbers except to shape or remove dead canes.
Feed your turf areas according to the directions on the fertilizer.
Fertilize all established plants starting to grow with 5-10-5 (or similar) fertilizer.
Fertilize trees and shrubs with the appropriate fertilizer (Ornamental, fruit, evergreen, etc.)
As weeds begin to actively grow, spray with weed control according to the directions on the container.
Apply borer control only if you find evidence of borers and you did not apply in March.
Remove mulches from perennials and roses.
Remove tree wrap if not done already since this is an excellent incubation area for insects and diseases if not taken off.
Feed our feathered friends – there are not enough natural foods available yet.
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May - Make sure to watch forecast for frost and be prepared to cover tender plants.
Early-May:
OUTDOORS – broccoli, peas, beets, Brussels sprouts, carrots, collards, kale,
radishes, spinach, tomatoes with “Wall O’Water” only, sage, pansies, all potted
perennials, summer flowering bulbs. Make sure to ‘harden’ (slowly acclimate)
the plants before putting them in the ground.
From seed: corn, snap beans, mustard, pumpkin, summer & winter squash.
Mid-May:
OUTDOORS – anything listed in early May, plus lemon balm, New Zealand and Malabar spinach, all herbs, all annual flowers, dahlia tubers, gladiola corms, all potted perennials (hardened off).
Late-May:
OUTDOORS – Anything listed in early and mid-May, plus cucumbers, pumpkins, summer & winter squash, basil, lima beans, peppers, and corn. Plant tomato plants only if using a ‘wall o’water’ for protection from the freezes.
Throughout May
Plant trees, shrubs, evergreens, annuals and perennials (Make sure your annuals and perennials are ‘hardened off’.
Use a root-stimulating fertilizer (high in the middle number) when planting new plants or transplanting “old” ones.
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June - Make sure to watch forecast for frost and be prepared to cover tender plants.
Early-June:
OUTDOORS – From seed: snap beans, beets, corn (early types), lima beans, and mustard seeds. From plants: cantaloupe, pumpkin, tomato, summer & winter squash, cucumber, oregano, pepper, endive, kale, kohlrabi, leek and eggplant.
Give your lawn a light feeding if necessary (it will tell you by its look).
Give roses their monthly feeding.
Give all flowering and fruiting plants with a food high in phosphorous (the middle number in the “3-number” formulation.
Fertilize outdoor hanging baskets and container gardens frequently. Peters® or other blossom booster works well. Since these plants are watered daily, nutrients are quickly leached out of the soil. Fish emulsion works well for an organic alternative.
Continue to closely watch for pests and treat immediately (follow label directions carefully when applying these or any herbicides).
Prune to shape plants and cut back shrubs as needed after they complete their blooming period.
Don’t remove green leaves from spring flowering bulbs. They are energizing the bulb for next years bloom and the dry leaves will decay providing more nutrients.
Remove all spent blooms on annuals and perennials to prolong the blooming period.
Check your outdoor hanging baskets twice a day (morning and afternoon). Water thoroughly so water runs through drainage holes in the pot.
Apply mulch to plants to conserve moisture and cut down on weeds.
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Plant container grown trees and shrubs. Be sure to follow good planting practices. If you would like some planting suggestions, link to http://www.greenprintdenver.org/trees/tree-planting-instructions/)
Plant annuals and perennials now. Plant in the cooler temperatures in the evening or early morning rather than during the heat of the day. A cool, cloudy day is best. Plants in containers dry out quickly so check hangings baskets and containers for water needs twice a day, especially if they are in direct sun.
Apply fertilizer to annuals, hanging baskets, and container gardens weekly to compensate for the leaching of nutrients with frequent watering.
Give roses their monthly feeding. We recommend Mile High Rose Food. After each bloom fades, cut back the stem to 1/4” above the first leaf set with 5 leaves.
Check your lawn for fungus and treat immediately if necessary. High temperatures and too much water can cause disease outbreaks.
Inspect your trees and shrubs for insects and treat accordingly. Don’t forget to check the underside of the leaves since this is where they hide to stay cool.
Prune to shape plants. Thin and cut back spring flowering shrubs after they complete their bloom period if needed. Pruning later in the season will remove the flower buds for next year.
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Plant container grown trees and shrubs. Be sure to follow good planting practices. If you would like some planting suggestions, link to http://www.greenprintdenver.org/trees/tree-planting-instructions/).
Plant perennials and transplant Oriental Poppies after their foliage has dried.
Early-August:
Plant cool season vegetables – lettuce, radishes. etc., for your fall garden. It is a good practice to plant them near taller, established vegetables to give some shade to the new seedlings.
Mid-to-late-August:
This is a good time to seed fall lawns. It is also a good time to divide or transplant spring-flowering bulbs.
Check your lawn for any insect infestation and treat accordingly.
Prune to shape plants. Thin and cut back the flower heads as they complete their bloom.
Check daily for ripe vegetables and enjoy them before the birds and other animals get them.
Make sure to keep plants well watered since August is hot and dry. Don’t overwater – use a moisture meter to check the water condition of the plants before watering.
Apply mulch to plants to conserve water, keep the soil temperature constant, and to cut down on the weeds.
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September - Make sure to watch forecast for frost and be prepared to cover tender plants.
Apply Lawn Food to you lawn to revitalize soil after a hot summer.
Plant container grown trees, shrubs and perennials.
Plant mums, fall asters, and pansies for fall color.
Take cuttings from geraniums now (before frost) and root them in a moist vermiculite or potting soil for next summers crop of geraniums.
Dig and pot herbs from your garden. Put in a sunny window to enjoy all year. Make sure that you treat insect problems before bringing them inside.
Divide and transplant perennials now – this will give them a chance to recover before the winter.
Dig dahlias, cannas, tuberous begonias, callas, gladiolus, and other winter-tender bulbs and corms after a frost kills the tops. Dry the bulbs and corms for a few days and store in sawdust, vermiculite or perlite in a cool, dry place until next year.
When planting fall bulbs, wait until the soil is cool and apply a fertilizer high in phosphorous (bone meal, super phosphate or triple super phosphate)
Prune single-crop raspberries to 8-9” apart. Cut weak canes and those that have borne fruit.
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