Seasonal Maintenance Guide
- Cut back ornamental grasses and perennials in late February
- Apply compost and slow-release fertilizer in early March
- Divide and transplant perennials before heat arrives
- Plant summer annuals and tropicals after last frost (mid-March)
- Mulch heavily with 3-4 inches to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Prune roses and remove any freeze-damaged growth
- Water deeply 2-3 times weekly during extreme heat and drought
- Monitor vigilantly for fungal diseases and treat immediately
- Deadhead heat-tolerant bloomers to encourage continued flowering
- Provide temporary shade cloth for struggling plants
- Cut back leggy tropicals for bushier growth
- Refresh mulch monthly to maintain moisture retention
- Plant cool-season annuals like pansies and snapdragons in October
- Divide and transplant summer perennials as temperatures moderate
- Continue fertilizing roses for fall bloom flush
- Plant spring bulbs in late November or December
- Clean up storm-damaged foliage from tropical weather
- Reduce watering as temperatures cool
- Enjoy winter-blooming pansies, violas, and ornamental kale
- Plan next season focusing on heat and disease-resistant varieties
- Prune deciduous trees and shrubs during dormancy
- Protect tender tropicals if rare hard freeze is forecast
- Minimal watering needed during cool dormant season
- Clean and maintain garden structures and irrigation systems