Year

The care calendar

Twelve months of work for this yard. Change the mix.

October

Do now

Daylily, hosta, iris, and ornamental grasses want a reset every few years.

Do now

September–October nitrogen builds roots, not just color.

Do now

A wet mat of leaves is a snow-mold starter kit.

Do now

Warm soil, cool air: roots run while the top rests.

This month

Fall is when dandelions move food to the root — the best time to kill them.

This month

A half-inch on the lawn after aeration, a little more in beds.

This month

Two to three inches, never against bark, never a volcano.

This month

Lower nitrogen, more potassium, while the lawn is still awake.

Prep

Only if the test says so. Lime in fall so it works by spring.

Prep

Before you buy another bag of fertilizer, know pH, phosphorus, and potassium.