TIPS FOR ALL FOUR SEASONS

January- February (winter):

  1. Good time to plant or transplant any type of shrubs and trees.
  2. While the trees are dormant, limb up any low hanging limbs.
  3. Cut back crape myrtles prior to its new growth (6 inches above last years cut).
  4. Cut back liriope and other ornamental grasses.
  5. Start cutting your lawn lower each time until spring. This will remove all the dead grass that is there and will help the new grass establish better in spring.
  6. Remove any leaf/limb debris on the grass areas (if not, you lawn is more likely to have a hard time establishing its new growth in the spring).
  7. After the leaves are up, it is a good time to mulch or pine straw all the beds. The groundcover will act as a blanket to hold in moisture for the shrubs and trees.
  8. Apply pre-emergent/post-emergent weed controls. This will aid in the prevention of broad leaf weeds and annual crabgrass.
Farmer Holding Plant With Soil — Watkinsville, GA — Four Seasons Lawn Maintenance
Holding Grass — Watkinsville, GA — Four Seasons Lawn Maintenance
Roll Of Grass — Watkinsville, GA — Four Seasons Lawn Maintenance

January- February (winter):

  1. March: Scalp lawn as low as the mower setting will allow without damaging the root system of the turf (this does not include centipede or fescue grasses).
  2. De-thatch lawn. This removes all the thatch build up that covers the ground. If it isn’t removed, the new leaf growth of the turf will have a hard time sprouting. Determining the amount of thatch build up a lawn may have, depends if a bagger is used while mowing (recommended) or is discharged back onto the lawn.
  3. Aerate lawn: the working of the turfs soil without destruction of the turf. (aerate by: coring, slitting, grooving, hole punching, forking, sliding, or spiking).
  4. Fertilize lawn. This will help ensure a quicker-green up.

April-May:

  1. Plant annuals, perennials and other bedding plants mid to late April. Planting during this time will help to avoid any more frost.
  2. With the onset of warmer temperatures, fertilize your lawn to enhance the color of your turf.
  3. Make sure all of the above is complete by this time. In June it will be too late for any major renovations due to the warmer temperatures.

June-July-August (summer):

  1. Water lawn. Please review your counties regulations before watering.
  2. Prune shrubs as needed (if you remove too much it may cause permanent damage to the plant).
  3. Fertilize your lawn to establish a healthy root growth.
  4. Spot treat weeds. Too many weeds will damage the existing turf.
  5. As the summer temperatures begin to get hotter, raise mowing height to prevent scalping.

September-October-November (fall):

  1. Plant perennials for fall color. Once temperatures cool down, replace warm season annuals with pansies.
  2. Remove leaf and limb debris at all times.
  3. This is a good time to install cool season’s grasses (fescue and winter rye). For best results, aerate and fertilize lawn before installation.
  4. Apply an application of pre-emergent and post-emergent weed control to aid in the prevention of annual winter weeds.

December (winter):

  1. Plant bulbs for spring growth.
  2. Cut back all perennials that die after the first frost.
  3. Remove all leaf and limb debris.
  4. Plant trees while they are dormant. This will allow the root system to be ready in the spring.
  5. Cut back shrubs heavily (if needed).
  6. Apply lime to turf. This conditions the soil and helps balance the ph levels.