Prepare new planting 

beds and gardens by 

mixing in one to three 

inches of compost.

 Pull weeds when they first 

start growing, while soil is 

moist and roots are short, 

before they go to seed.

 Buy plants that resist 

disease and use less water.

Spring

 Prepare new tree and shrub beds by mixing compost 

into the entire bed (not just planting holes). 

 Start mowing, about three 

inches high for most lawns in 

northern states; two inches 

for lawns in southern states. 

“Grasscycle”—leave the 

clippings for free fertilizer.

 For lawns in poor condition: 

aerate, overseed and topdress with a quarter-inch to 

half-inch of compost.

 Fertilize lawns if needed in 

May with “natural organic” 

or “slow-release” fertilizer.

 Check soil moisture at plant 

roots before watering—don’t 

water until they need it.

 Lay out soaker hoses 

in beds and cover with 

mulch.

 Prepare sprinkler systems 

by testing, adjusting and 

repairing leaks.

 Harvest compost from your bin. Throw any uncomposted 

sticks or stalks back in for another cycle.

 Mulch flower and vegetable 

beds with compost or grass 

clippings to conserve water 

and control weeds.

 Use fabric row covers to 

keep pests off sensitive 

vegetables.

 Identify bugs before you 

spray, squash or stomp—

they may be “good bugs” 

that eat pests.

 Mulch shrub and tree beds with shredded wood, leaves or bark 

once a year to conserve water, reduce weeds and feed the soil.

 Mow regularly, and leave the 

clippings on the lawn.

 Keep mower blades sharp 

to reduce lawn damage and 

brown tips.

 Consider saving water by 

letting some lawn areas 

(ones that don’t get heavy 

traffic) go brown and 

dormant until fall.

 Water at dawn to 

reduce evaporation.

 Water lawns one inch per 

week, if no rain, or let go 

brown and dormant (but 

water enough to moisten 

root zone once a month).

 Start and re-check watering 

systems, and adjust for 

weather. (Don’t water when 

it rains).

 Add yard debris to compost pile; water pile to keep it moist. 

Place pile in shade or cover to hold moisture.

Flower and Vegetable Gardens

Tree and Shrub Beds

Lawns

Watering

Composting

Flower and Vegetable Gardens

Tree and Shrub Beds

Lawns

Watering

Composting

Let nature do the work. Incorporate greenscaping practices into your lawn and garden care. | Learn more at www.epa.gov/greenscapes

March | April | May

summer

June | July | August

GreenScapes Seasonal Planner
Winter

Flower and Vegetable Gardens

Tree and Shrub Beds

Lawns

Watering

Composting

December | January | February

Fall

Flower and Vegetable Gardens

Tree and Shrub Beds

Lawns

Watering

Composting

September | October | November

 Pull emerging weeds in 

beds when ground is moist 

and before they develop 

deep roots.

 Mulch garden beds with 

leaves or compost to reduce 

winter weeds and feed the 

soil. Or plant winter cover 

crops in open beds.

 Prepare new planting areas 

by digging in compost.

 Mulch tree and shrub beds 

with leaves, shredded wood 

or bark.

 Plant trees, shrubs and 

many perennials in early 

fall to give them a good 

start.

 Improve thin areas of lawn 

in September–October by 

aerating, overseeding and 

top-dressing with compost. 

 Fertilize lawns with “natural 

organic” or “slow-release” 

fertilizer in September to 

develop healthy roots and 

crowd out weeds.

 Plant new lawns to give 

them the best start before 

next summer.

 Reduce watering during 

cooler weather.

 Shut off and drain 

watering systems 

if you expect a freeze.

 Put away exposed soaker 

hoses, or re-cover with 

mulch if left out.

 Rake winter leaf mulch 

back onto beds if winds 

blow it off.

 Weed beds once during 

winter to prevent weeds 

going to seed.

 Tune up yard equipment; 

sharpen mower blades. 

Plan drip irrigation or 

soaker hoses for beds and 

container to conserve water.

 Winter is the time to

plan for spring.

 Check storage areas for 

unwanted chemicals, and 

dispose safely. Call your local 

solid waste agency for details. 

Plan to replace plants that 

have disease or pest problems.

 Prune fruit trees and other woody trees and shrubs while they’re dormant (December–February). 

If you have questions, check with your local Cooperative Extension office or a nursery.

For questions about lawn and garden care in your region, contact your local Cooperative Extension office by visiting www.csrees.usda.gov/Extension.

EPA530-F-07-045

GreenScapes Seasonal Planner

 Clear unwanted garden growth and compost it for spring. 

Keep pile as moist as a wrung-out sponge. 

Continue to add fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, 

egg shells, nut shells, and house plant leaves and stalks from 

inside your home to your compost pile year round.

Let nature do the work.