Spring Gardening Tips:

• Plants bareroot trees and seedlings.
• Transplant dormant trees and shrubs.
• Fertilize plant materials.
• Rake and clean plantings beds.
• Remove winter mulch and spread new shredded hardwood mulch 1-2” thick.
• Prune spring flowering plants after blooming.
• Move container plants outdoors into full sun.
• Prune perennials and ornamental grasses before new flush of growth begins.

Summer Gardening Tips:

• Dead-head Rhododendron plants and laurel for increased buds.
• Adjust watering times - now the best time to water is between 6:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m.; a sprinkling rather than a deep watering will cause the top layer of soil to dry out less frequently, deeper applications are more beneficial.
• Dead tulip stalks can be cut to ground without harming buds.
• Keep transplanting to a minimum.
• Fertilize annuals with high nitrogen feeding once per month.
• Continued deadheading of annuals will keep them constantly blooming.
• Spray for lace bugs on azaleas and laurels.
• Pinch chrysanthemums for the last time to enjoy bushy plants this fall.
• Feed and spray roses.

Fall Gardening Tips:

• Plant deciduous plants, tulip, daffodil and lily bulbs until ground freezes. Pot hardy spring bulbs for forcing indoors.
• Prune late summer and fall blooming shrubs (abelia, butterfly bush, clethra, hydrangea, hypericum. Limit pruning of early spring blooming trees and shrubs to the removal of awkward, damaged or diseased branches to preserve flower beds.
• Fertilize trees and shrubs using 5-10-5 on deciduous and evergreen after they are fully dormant.
• Rake and compost leaves.
• Water broadleaf evergreens thoroughly before ground freezes.
• Clean up perennial beds, cut stalks to 4-5 inches (except ornamental grasses which add winter interest).
• Spray broadleaf evergreens with antidessicant when temperature is above 40 degrees.
• Protect small plants from frost by mulching, including perennials, cuttings and bulbs.
• Carefully monitor plants and initiate a weekly watering program until the ground freezes.

Winter Gardening Tips:

• Remove heavy snow from evergreen branches and shrubs by tapping with a broom. Let ice covering melt away naturally.
• Mulch perennials 2-3" thick to keep plants frozen in place and prevent them from being heaved out of soil. Mulch all outdoor container plants using shredded hardwood mulch.
• Prune woody plants while dormant including fruit trees, summer blooming shrubs and perform major tree work.
• Fertilize dormant ericaceous plants (hollies), azaleas, rhododendrons, laurel and leucothe with 5-10-5 for acid loving plants.

And always, no matter the season, remember to call Mullan Nursery Company to help you with preparation and clean up. We offer Spring and Fall cleanups specifically designed to meet our client’s needs and to make your property look it’s best no matter what the season.