Of all areas of home organization, caring for the lawn and garden is most tied to the seasons; adapt the checklist below to your own conditions.
Winter
□Scale back on watering and fertilizing houseplants; prune to keep new growth in check (to preserve nutrients).
□Draft planting plan for spring garden.
□Prune damaged trees; keep on the lookout.
□Prune fruit trees (after coldest weather has passed).
□Order seeds.
□Have mower and edger serviced.
□Sharpen and oil garden tools.
□Buy plant labels and markers (and also reuse what you have).
Spring
□Remove winter plantcoverings.
□Edge driveway and garden beds.
□Rake leaves; compost.
□Hook up garden hose.
□Organize potting supplies.
□For lawns, fertilize cool-season grass in early spring; seed warm-season grass later in season.
□Begin fertilizing beds, trees, and shrubs (as well as houseplants).
□Repot houseplants as needed.
□Begin mowing and watering lawn.
□Direct-sow or start seeds indoors for crops (see opposite); plant rhubarb and potatoes.
□Direct-sow seeds for spring vegetables.
□Plant new trees.
□Plant window boxes and hanging baskets.
□Set up peony supports.
□Buy and plant summer-blooming bulbs and shrubs.
□Plant bush and pole beans.
□Set out and stake tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
Summer
□Finish planting perennial beds (before heat sets in).
□Deadhead perennials (as needed).
□Stop fertilizing lawn, shrubs, and beds before end of summer.
□Plant sunflowers (and other late-summer and fall annuals).
□Order bulbs for fall planting (depending on your zone).
□For a fall harvest, plant crucifers, such as brussels sprouts, cabbage, and broccoli.
□Harvest crops.
Fall
□After last mowing, clean mower and edger thoroughly; empty gas tank.
□Plant cool-weather greens.
□Pick last-of-season tomatoes and herbs.
□Pull faded annuals from flower beds.
□Buy and plant spring-blooming bulbs; dig up and store more delicate bulbs, like dahlias.
□Divide and plant summer-blooming perennials (or wait until spring if it has been a rainy fall).
□Plant new trees.
□Seed cool-season lawns.
□Cut back perennials.
□Have your sprinkler system drained and serviced, and flag any heads near driveways or walkways to prevent damage during snow removal.
□Rake fall leaves and use as mulch or in compost.
□Cover boxwoods and other shrubs with burlap, if desired. Add compost and mulch to cut-back perennials for winter protection.