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By carefully designing the landscape, the total amount of work required can be reduced. Adapted plant materials that will not outgrow their locations or require excessive care should be selected. Some plants are also less susceptible to insect and disease damage. Durable building materials should be used outdoors. A landscape should be an enjoyable asset, not a liability that requires constant attention.
The following maintenance schedule. is a checklist of annual gardening activities. By attending to these matters at the proper time, a major part of the maintenance will be preventative rather than remedial.
JANUARY
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
- If rainfall has been deficient, water lawns, trees, and shrubs, especially the broadleaf and narrow leaf evergreens. Check moisture in protected areas or raised planters.
- Finish pruning the bleeders, birch, elm, maple, and willow trees. See OSU Pub. 6409 - Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs. More Pruning Information
- Treat young pines for tip borers if not done in November. Check with Master Gardeners for chemical to control next June's brood. Apply this month.
- Use dormant oil spray to control overwintering insects on deciduous trees and shrubs if not treated in November or December. Scale, mites, galls, overwintering aphids, and other insects can be a serious problem of many woody ornamental and fruit plants. Dormant oil sprays should be applied when the temperature is above 40 degrees F. in late fall and winter. Do not use "dormant" oils on evergreens. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control for control.
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 to 3 inches high at a mower height of 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water turf if rainfall has been deficient. Check moisture in protected areas.
Vegetables
Miscellaneous
- Sharpen, paint, and repair gardening tools and equipment (mowers, edgers, sprayers, dusters, etc.) Balance cutting blades on mowers and edgers.
- Check irrigation lines, hoses, and sprinklers and replace worn or broken parts.
- Check supplies of fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides. Secure a copy of current recommendations and post them in a convenient place. Also see OSU Pub. 7450 - Safe Use of Pesticides in the Home and Garden.
FEBRUARY
Fruits and Nuts
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
- Fertilize trees (including fruit and nut) and shrubs. It is best to fertilize in both the spring and fall. Divide the fertilizer equally between spring and fall.
- Dormant oil spray can still be applied to control overwintering insects such as scale, mites, galls, aphids, etc, on deciduous trees and shrubs if not yet treated. Dormant oil sprays should be applied when the temperature is above 40 degrees F. Do not use "dormant" oils on evergreens. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control for control.
- Finish pruning shade trees and summer flowering shrubs such as vitex. Prune hedges (evergreen hedges should be delayed until just before new growth begins. Spring blooming shrubs such as forsythia and spirea may be pruned immediately following flowering. See OSU Pub. 6409 - Pruning Ornamental Trees and Shrubs.
More Pruning Information
- Most bare-rooted trees and shrubs should be planted in February or March. Once buds begin to swell, it is risky to transplant them without soil around their roots. Later plantings should be balled and burlapped or container grown.
See OSU Pub. 6414 - Planting Shade Trees and Shrubs. and
More Tree Information
Soil
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 to 3 inches high at a mower height of 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water turf if rainfall has been deficient. Check moisture in protected areas.
Vegetables
- Few insects active but preplant applications for cutworms, white grubs, and wireworms can be made, if needed in late February.
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
MARCH
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs -- See Also --
Plant Diseases
- Major planting season. Many trees and shrubs such as magnolia, pine, holly, pecan, sweet gum, and strawberries are best planted this month.
- Cultivate annual flower beds to destroy winter weeds. Do not cultivate around shrubs, especially azaleas. Pull these weeds.
- Prune roses just before growth starts, and begin a regular disease spray program as the foliage appears.
See OSU Pub. 6403 - Rose Culture in Oklahoma; and 7607 - Diseases of Roses.
Continue weekly treatment during the rainy season.
- Divide and replant summer and fall blooming perennials, such as chrysanthemums.
- Mow old liriope foliage before new growth begins, cut back pampas grass and other ornamental grass foliage.
- Control of galls (swellings) on stems of oak, hackberry, pecan, elm and honeylocus should begin now. Prune off as many limbs as practical. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control; and 7168 Plant Galls Caused by Insects for control.
- Anthracnose control on Sycamore, maple, and oak should begin at bud swell and when the leaf is half grown and at maturity. The London Plane tree looks like the sycamore, but it is more resistant to anthracnose. See OSU Pub. 7634 - Anthracnose and Other Common Leaf Diseases of Deciduous Shade Trees
- Pine tip blight control on Austrian pine begins at bud swell. See OSU Pub. 7618 - Common Diseases of Conifers in Oklahoma.
- The 1st generation of Nantucket Pine Tip Moth appears at this time. Begin pesticide applications in late March. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control for control.
- Other Ornamental and shade tree pests that may appear this month.
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Water turf if rainfall has been deficient. Check moisture in protected areas.
- Fall applications is best, but, if needed broadleaf weeds can be controlled in cool-season grasses with post-emergent broadleaf herbicides.
See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
- For cool season grasses apply one pound actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet using a complete N-P-K Fertilizer in 3-1-2 ratio.
Slow release fertilizers are NOT recommended for use of fescue lawns.
- Mow--cool season grasses at 2 1/2 inches high, warm season 1 1/2 to 2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Seed cool-season grasses if the fall planting was missed.
See OSU Pub. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Remove the thatch (old growth and clippings) on improved bermudas before crabgrass control treatment.
- Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control chemicals when forsythia flowers. Heed label cautions when using any weed killers near or in the root zone of desirable plantings. (Do not apply pre-emergent to areas to be renovated.)
More Information on Cool Season Grasses.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
Miscellaneous
- Locate a source of mulch material.
APRIL
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
See Also --
Plant Diseases
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
Vegetables
- Make preparations to set out tomato plants when the soil temperature is greater than 60 degrees, usually the last of the month or early May. Don't rush it, be aware of a late freeze.
See OSU Pub. 6012 - Growing Tomatoes in the Home Garden
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
General
- Be alert for both insect pests and predators. Hand pick if possible. Only use a pesticide if there are too few predators to be effective.
MAY
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
See Also --
Plant Diseases
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 1/2 inches high, warm season 2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- If you did not fertilize cool season grasses (fescues) in March and April do NOT do so now.
- Fertilize warm season grasses on quick release program with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet. Do not fertilize warm season grasses this month when on the slow release program.
- Aerification of warm season lawn prior to seeding.
- Start seeding of warm season lawns in mid month. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. See OSU Pub. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Vegetative planting of warm season lawns can continue this month. Sod or sprig as appropriate for the grass variety desired. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. See OSU Pub. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Dollar spot disease in lawns may be visible in mid month. (See Key to Turf Disease Identification.) See OSU Pub. 7658 - Dollar Spot of Turfgrass.
- Post-emergent treatment for Nutsedge are best applied this month. Make certain warm-season grasses have completed green-up. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
- Second application of pre-emergent annual grass herbicides can be applied late month. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
JUNE
General
- Cultivate and mulch. In clay soil delay until the weather turns hot.
- Continue to water deeply as needed. Apply at least one inch of water each time. Water after light showers for better water usage.
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
See Also --
Plant Diseases
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 3 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Do not fertilize cool season grasses this month.
- Fertilize warm season grasses on quick release program with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet.
Fertilize warm season grasses on the slow release program with 1 2/3 pounds of slow release nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
- Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses may show up. (See Key to Turf Disease Identification.) See OSU Pub. 6420 - Lawn Management in Oklahoma.
- Seeding of warm season lawns completed by middle of month. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Post-emergent control of young crabgrass plants. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
JULY
General
- Many disease control measures can be cutback or discontinued during hot, dry weather, monitor carefully.
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
- Expect some leaf fall. Clear yellow leaves are a normal reaction to drought. Water young plantings and container-grown plants well. As heat intensifies young plants may need water every two to three days. Arrange for watering when vacationing.
- Spider mites on a host of plants. They are a problem during hot, dry weather. Two or more treatments normally required.
- Obscure scale insect crawlers become active in July and August on pin oaks, burr oaks and pecans among others. Control during crawler stage. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control.
- Other Ornamental and shade tree pests that may appear this month.
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 3 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses may show up. (See Key to Turf Disease Identification.) See OSU Pub. 6420 - Lawn Management in Oklahoma.
- Do not fertilize cool season grasses this month.
- Fertilize warm season grasses on quick release program with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet. Do not fertilize warm season grasses this month when on the slow release program.
- Control unwanted bermudagrass with one of the new grass-only killing herbicides.
- Vegetative planting of warm season lawns completed by end of month. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
AUGUST
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
- Water all planting thoroughly unless rainfall has been adequate.
- Divide and replant spring blooming perennials such as iris, peonies, and daylilies.
- Hedges and shrubs can be pruned, if necessary, about mid-August.
- Pinewood nematode often kills Scotch and Japanese black pines under drought stress. These is no current control.
- Other Ornamental and shade tree pests that may appear this month.
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses may show up. (See Key to Turf Disease Identification.) See OSU Pub. 6420 - Lawn Management in Oklahoma.
- Mow cool season grasses at 3 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Do not fertilize cool season grasses this month.
- Fertilize warm season grasses on quick release program with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet.
Fertilize warm season grasses on the slow release program with 1 2/3 pounds of slow release nitrogen per 1000 square feet.
- Winter-annual weed and annual spring grassy weed control begins about mid-month to Labor Day. Pre-emergent grassy weed control chemicals must be on the ground by September 15.
- Watch for white grub damage in lawns.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
- Water all planting thoroughly unless rainfall has been adequate.
- Plant fall vegetable garden now.
SEPTEMBER
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 3 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Winter-annual weed and annual spring grassy weed control begins about Labor Day. Pre-emergent grassy weed control chemicals must be on the ground by September 15.
- Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses may show up. (See Key to Turf Disease Identification.) See OSU Pub. 6420 - Lawn Management in Oklahoma.
- In late month, Fertilize warm season grasses with one pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Use a complete N-P-K fertilizer in 3-1-2 ratio.
- Watch for white grub damage in lawns. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control for control.
- For cool season grasses apply one pound actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet using a complete N-P-K Fertilizer in 3-1-2 ratio.
- Begin to establish cool-season lawns.
See OSU Pub. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Reseed bluegrass, fescue, or ryegrass as needed in shady areas.
- Plant winter wheat for erosion control on new, sunny lawns.
- Renew disease control efforts as needed.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
OCTOBER
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
Soil
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 1/2 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Mow and edge neatly before killing frost.
- Continue to establish cool-season lawns until mid-month. 6419 - Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
- Control broadleaf weeds in well established warm or cool-season lawns with a post-emergent broadleaf weed killer. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
NOVEMBER
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- In late November, Fertilize cool season lawns with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet.
- Control broadleaf weeds in well established warm or cool-season lawns with a post-emergent broadleaf weed killer. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
- November and December is the best time to control chickweed, dandelion, and henbit. Most trees and shrubs are less susceptible at this time. However, caution is the watch-word whenever herbicides are applied.
Vegetables
- Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the "days to harvest" waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
Miscellaneous
- Compost annual debris and leaves. Do not compost diseased plant parts.
- Maintain gardening equipment
- Drain oil and gasoline from power equipment before winter storage.
- Clean tools.
- Make necessary repairs.
- Coat metal surfaces with a thin film of oil to prevent rust.
- Drain and store water hoses.
- Wrap hydrants.
- Seal, re-label, and store pesticides properly. A lock can help ensure safety.
- Repair or replace walks, drives and fences.
DECEMBER
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
- Continue pruning the bleeders, birch, elm, maple, and willow.
- Use dormant oil spray to control overwintering insects on deciduous trees and shrubs if not treated in November. Scale, mites, galls, overwintering aphids, and other insects can be a serious problem of many woody ornamental and fruit plants. Dormant oil sprays should be applied when the temperature is above 40 degrees F. in late fall and winter. Do not use "dormant" oils on evergreens. See OSU Pub. 7306 - Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control for control.
- Other Ornamental and shade tree pests that may appear this month.
- Pine -- Nantucket pine tip moth--This is the best period of time to apply systemic insecticide to the soil around susceptible species of pines.
Turfgrass See also --
Oklahoma Turfgrasses-Characteristics/Maintenance
- Mow cool season grasses at 2 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
- Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
- Control broadleaf weeds in well established warm or cool-season lawns with a post-emergent broadleaf weed killer. See OSU Pub. 6421 - Controlling Weeds in Home Lawns.
Vegetables
Miscellaneous
- Soak all plantings before hard-freezing weather.
- Light pruning of evergreens can be used for Christmas decorations.
- Review the year's schedule and make plans for next year's improvements.
Go To Table of CONTENTS
The primary source of information for this page is from the OCES publication F-6408 Landscape Maintenance Schedule by Paul J. Mitchell, Extension Ornamental Horticulturist. Dated 09/94. (Revised 08/98 by Hillock, hudgins, Simons, Pinkston, Martin and Schnelle) and Major Horticultural & Household Insects of Oklahoma, Circular E-918 compiled by Don Arnold, Ken Pinkston, and Bob Cartwright. Please refer to these documents for further information. Major categories are links are to the Oklahoma State University Fact Sheet horticulture topical collections Lawn, Yard& Garden. Most embedded links are to Horticultural Diseases and Pests, edited by Brian Jervis, Tulsa County Extension Horticulturist. For information on chemicals approved for use in Oklahoma please contact the Tulsa Master Gardeners' office(see below.)