Whether you’re planting a single specimen or creating an entire privacy hedge, following a few simple steps will help your trees get off to a strong start.

Why Homeowners Love Arborvitae

Arborvitae are among the most versatile evergreen trees available. They offer:

• Year-round privacy and screening
• Protection from wind and noise
• Attractive vertical interest in the landscape
• Low-maintenance care once established
• A variety of sizes and growth habits to fit different spaces

Before planting, choose a location that receives full to partial sun and has well-drained soil. Be sure to account for the mature width and height of the variety you’ve selected to avoid overcrowding as the trees grow.

Our #1 Planting Tip: Dig a Trench, Not Individual Holes

If you’re planting multiple arborvitae to create a privacy hedge, skip the individual planting holes and dig one continuous trench instead.

A trench allows you to:

• Maintain consistent planting depth
• Ensure proper spacing between trees
• Create a straighter, more uniform hedge
• Save time during installation

For most arborvitae varieties, space the trunks approximately 3 to 4 feet apart, depending on the mature size and desired level of privacy.

Step 1: Dig the Trench

Start by creating a trench that is approximately two inches shallower than the height of the root balls.

As you dig, place the excavated soil on a tarp nearby. This keeps your work area organized and makes backfilling easier once the trees are in place.

Pro Tip: Planting slightly high helps prevent the root ball from settling too deep over time and improves drainage around the roots.

Step 2: Prepare and Position the Trees

Carefully remove each arborvitae from its container or burlap wrapping.

Before placing the tree into the trench, gently loosen or tease the outer roots. This encourages the roots to grow outward into the surrounding soil rather than continuing to circle within the root ball.

Set each tree into the trench, checking that they are straight and evenly spaced.

Step 3: Backfill and Build a Watering Basin

Fill soil around each root ball until it is firmly supported.

Leave the top two inches of each root ball exposed above the surrounding soil. Then use extra soil to create a small berm or “soil dam” around each tree.

This basin will help direct water toward the roots during the critical establishment period.

Step 4: Water Thoroughly

Proper watering is one of the most important steps in successful arborvitae planting.

Fill each soil basin with water and allow it to soak into the root ball. Once the water has drained, fill the basin a second time.

This deep watering helps eliminate air pockets and ensures moisture reaches the entire root system.

Step 5: Finish with Mulch

After watering is complete, rake away the temporary soil dams and apply a layer of mulch around the base of each tree.

Mulch helps:

• Retain soil moisture
• Moderate soil temperatures
• Reduce weed growth
• Improve overall root health

Keep mulch a few inches away from the trunk to prevent moisture buildup and potential disease issues.

Set Your Arborvitae Up for Success

Planting arborvitae correctly from the beginning can make all the difference in how quickly they establish and thrive. By using a trench planting method, maintaining proper spacing, watering deeply, and applying mulch, you’ll create the ideal conditions for a healthy, dense privacy screen.

With a little preparation now, you’ll soon enjoy the beauty, privacy, and year-round greenery that arborvitae provide.

After a spring full of temperature swings, frosty mornings, and rainy weekends, Michigan gardeners are more than ready to dig in. According to Darrell Youngquest, perennial and nursery buyer at English Gardens, now is officially the time to get planting in Michigan.

“Everybody’s really anxious to get out in the garden,” says Youngquest. “And now you’re free and clear to start planting vegetables, herbs, annuals, trees, shrubs, and perennials.”

When Is It Safe to Plant in Michigan?

Michigan’s unpredictable spring weather keeps many gardeners waiting — but the good news is that the planting window is now open. Once your area has passed the last frost date, you’re safe to plant warm-season vegetables, annual flowers, and tender perennials outdoors.

Youngquest confirms that Michigan gardeners can now plant:

• Vegetables and herbs
• Annual flowers
• Trees and shrubs
• Perennials

If you’re unsure about your specific zone, Southeast Michigan (including Metro Detroit) falls in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a–6b, with last frost dates typically in late April to mid-May.

Rainy Days Are Great for Garden Prep

While sunny weekends may draw crowds to the garden center, rainy days can actually work in a Michigan gardener’s favor.

“It’s a great time to go shopping because the stores are a little slower,” Youngquest explains. “Then you’re ready to plant when the weather clears.”

Rain also makes ideal conditions for garden prep. Use wet days to:

• Pull weeds while soil is soft
• Refresh and amend garden beds
• Plan your layout before planting day

Should You Divide Perennials in Spring?

Many Michigan gardeners start noticing overcrowded perennials this time of year — especially hostas and daylilies. While dividing plants may be tempting, Youngquest recommends patience.

“Fall is really the best time to divide perennials because the plants are going dormant,” he says. “If you divide them now, you can stress the roots and stunt growth.”

However, if plants are just barely emerging from the soil, careful dividing may still be successful. When in doubt, wait until fall for the best results.

Best Plants for Michigan Gardens This Season

At English Gardens, Michigan gardeners are gravitating toward vibrant, high-performing plants that offer big visual impact throughout the season.

Top plant picks this year include:

• SunPatiens® — thrives in both full sun and shade; great for Michigan’s variable light conditions
• Petunias — a classic annual for continuous summer color in beds and containers
• Mandevillas — bold tropical vines that add drama to patios and entryways
• Larger annual six-packs — stronger root systems mean faster establishment and fuller plantings

“We’re seeing people choose larger annual packs because the plants establish quicker and fill in faster,” Youngquest says.

How to Improve Garden Soil in Michigan

One of the most important — and often overlooked — gardening tips for Michigan yards is improving your soil before you plant.

“That soil is going to be the plant’s home,” says Youngquest.

Michigan soils vary widely, but most home gardens benefit from annual amendments. For the best results:

• Refresh soil each year for annuals and vegetables by adding compost or enriched garden soil
• Add soil conditioner to improve drainage and texture
• Use a starter fertilizer with beneficial microbes — Youngquest recommends Bio-tone® to encourage faster root development
• Feed annual flowers with a combination of slow-release fertilizer and regular water-soluble fertilizer to keep blooms vibrant all summer

Ready to Start Planting? Visit English Gardens

Whether you’re filling raised beds, planting containers, or refreshing your landscape, now is the perfect time to get growing in Michigan. Visit any English Gardens location for expert advice, top-quality plants, and everything you need for a successful gardening season.

As Youngquest joked: “We’re always hiring — but it’s a lot of work!”

For Michigan gardeners, though, it’s the kind of work that feels worth it once everything starts blooming.

Proper Watering is Key

When temperatures are consistently warm and the rain is slowing down, remember to keep your lawn and garden hydrated. Underwatering is the number one reason your plants fail to thrive.

• Set-up a watering schedule. Temperatures will increase, and your plants will start feeling the heat. Now is the time to get your watering plan started. Whether it’s sprinklers, a hose, or drip irrigation, help your plants prepare for summer’s heat with the proper amount of water.
• Water anything newly planted often. Check them frequently to address any issues that may arise.

Watch our video Summer Watering Tips 

Garden Bed Care

Garden beds need maintenance throughout the summer. Doing a few things each week is easier and will keep everything looking great.

• Remove weeds regularly.  It’s easier to spend a few minutes each day removing small weeds than letting them overgrow your beds. Learn more tips to keep your garden weed free.
• Mulch beds to reduce weeds, conserve water and provide a neat top dress.
• Cut back spring perennials as they finish blooming. Divide if necessary to improve next year’s flowering. Learn more about Dividing and Transplanting Perennials.
• Set supports for floppy plants, vines and vegetables.
• Finish planting summer annual flowers for season-long color. Learn more about Planting Annuals.
• Plant summer bulbs such as cannas, gladiolus and dahlias.
• Plant caladium and tuberous begonias in shady areas.
• Consider adding a few container gardens, if you have areas that need a spot of color. Watch our video on Container Gardening Essentials and Container Garden Care.
• Fertilize annual plants and container gardens, every 10 days to 2 weeks, with a water-soluble formula. Learn more about caring for your annuals and fertilizing your annuals.
• Fertilize vegetable plants, with an organic slow-release fertilizer like Espoma’s Plant Tone.

Watch our video Gardening 101

Trees and Shrub Care

Spend a few minutes tending to trees and shrubs this month to keep them looking great year after year.

• Deadhead rhododendrons, azaleas and lilacs, once they’ve finished flowering.
• Deadhead roses, as they finish blooming.
• Fertilize roses after full bloom.
• Prune any plants with dead, diseased, crossing or weak branches.
• Prune hydrangea bushes, particularly macrophyllus, which may have winter die-back. Watch our video on Pruning Hydrangeas. 
• Prune any dead branches protruding from new growth.
• Prune your early spring-flowering shrubs to control their size.
• Prune evergreens and evergreen hedges to control their size.

Watch our Video: Watering Newly Planted Trees and Shrubs

Lawn Care

A green, lush lawn is a great way to improve your curb appeal. Keep it looking great with these tips: .

• Mow the lawn regularly, and keep blades at a height of 2 ½” to 3 inches.
• Use a rain gauge to accurately measure the amount of water a lawn gets.  Aim for about an inch of water a week when it’s actively growing.

Learn more about Summer Lawn Care.

Control Pests & Diseases 

Pests and diseases can take a toll on your plants. Be proactive and catch problems when they arise to save you time and money in the long run.

• Check for pests and problems often. To help reduce pests in your garden, release beneficial insects such as ladybugs. Learn more about Beneficial Insects.
• Continue to apply deer and rabbit repellents or plant one of our recommended deer-resistant plants,
• Watch for any signs of plant stress or disease, particularly leaf fungus, black spot, powdery mildew, or rust. Treat any issues immediately before they become big problems. Learn more about our Garden Pharmacy

Watch our video Environmentally Friendly Gardening Tips

Ask Us For Advice

We are here to help you with all your gardening and landscape needs. Visit our experts in our Garden Pharmacy at any English Gardens location.  We’ll diagnose problems with anything growing and provide a solution for its care.

Take time to enjoy the outdoors!

Our Garden Pharmacy department is designed to be a one-stop resource for plant care solutions, expert advice and the products you need to help your plants thrive all season long.

What is the Garden Pharmacy?

The Garden Pharmacy is a dedicated area within our stores focused on plant health and garden success. From fertilizers and soil amendments to pest and disease control products, our team can help guide you toward the right solutions for your specific gardening needs.

Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just getting started, our knowledgeable staff is here to answer questions and help you care for everything you grow, both indoors and out.

Free Plant Diagnosis

One of the most valuable services we offer is free plant diagnosis. If you’re unsure what’s happening with a plant, lawn or garden area, bring in a sample or photos and our team will help identify possible problems and recommend next steps.

Our experts can help guide you through:

• Plant care questions
• Lawn concerns
• Insect identification
• Watering recommendations
• Fertilizer options
• Seasonal plant care tips
• General garden troubleshootin

Soil Testing Services

Healthy plants start with healthy soil. All English Gardens locations also offer soil testing services to help better understand your soil conditions and nutrient levels.

Soil testing can help gardeners make more informed decisions about:

• Fertilizer applications
• Soil amendments
• Plant selection
• Improving overall plant health

Products for Every Garden Need

The Garden Pharmacy carries a wide range of products to help support healthy growth and beautiful gardens, including:

• Fertilizers
• Plant food
• Weed control
• Insect control  x
• Disease prevention products
• Organic gardening solutions
• Lawn care products
• Watering supplies
• Deer and animal repellents

Our team can also help explain how and when to use products for the best results.

Expert Advice for Every Season

Gardening changes throughout the year, and so do your plants’ needs. The Garden Pharmacy team is available year-round to help with seasonal recommendations, product guidance and plant care advice.

Whether you’re planting spring annuals, maintaining your lawn in summer, preparing your landscape for fall or caring for houseplants in winter, we’re here to help you grow with confidence.

Visit the Garden Pharmacy at English Gardens

At English Gardens, we believe gardening should be enjoyable and approachable. The Garden Pharmacy combines expert advice, trusted products and personalized service to help gardeners of all experience levels succeed.

Stop by your local English Gardens location to explore the Garden Pharmacy department and connect with our knowledgeable team.

Or watch our video to learn more.

Take a Multi Step Approach to Deer Protection

The best way to protect your garden from deer is by combining multiple forms of protection. Start with deer-resistant plants, then add repellents and physical barriers like fencing, screening or netting in areas with heavy deer activity. Using a layered approach can help reduce damage and keep your garden looking its best throughout the season.

Fencing & Physical Barriers

The most effective way to keep deer out is with fencing at least 8 feet tall. Deer are excellent jumpers! Options include:
• Plastic mesh fencing
• Woven wire fencing
• Garden screening and protective netting for vulnerable plants and vegetables

Deer Repellents

Repellents help discourage browsing by scent or taste. Rotate products occasionally for best results.

Popular options include:
• Plantskydd® – Organic, environmentally safe repellent with predator-based scent
• Liquid Fence® – Rain-resistant deer and rabbit repellent
• Nature’s MACE® – Natural scent-based animal repellent
• Repellex® – Long-lasting deer and rabbit deterrent

What Makes a Plant Deer-Resistant?

While no plant is completely deer-proof, deer tend to avoid plants that are:
• Highly fragrant or aromatic
• Fuzzy or textured
• Thorny or prickly
• Strong tasting

Deer-resistant Plant Favorites

Annuals
• Ageratum – Full Sun | Late Spring–Fall
• Alyssum – Full Sun | Summer–Fall
• Begonia – Shade–Full Shade | Early Summer–Frost
• Caladium – Full–Part Sun | Spring–Fall
• Coleus – Part–Full Sun | Spring–Fall
• Geranium – Full Sun | Spring–Fall
• Marigold – Full Sun | Summer–Frost
• Petunia – Part–Full Sun | Summer–Fall
• Snapdragon – Sun–Part Shade | Spring–Fall
• Torenia – Sun–Shade | Late Spring–Frost

Perennials
• Astilbe – Colorful plume blooms for shade gardens
• Black-Eyed Susan – Bright gold flowers that attract butterflies
• Ferns – Lush texture for shady landscapes
• Lamb’s Ear – Soft silver foliage deer avoid
• Lavender – Fragrant purple blooms all summer
• Lily of the Valley – Sweetly scented spring blooms
• Peony – Large fragrant blooms and long lifespan
• Russian Sage – Airy blue-purple flowers with aromatic foliage
• Thyme – Fragrant edible groundcover

Trees & Shrubs
• Boxwood – Classic evergreen hedge
• Barberry – Bold colorful foliage
• Butterfly Bush – Pollinator favorite
• Cypress – Adds texture and year-round color
• Dogwood – Stunning spring blooms
• Forsythia – Bright yellow early spring flowers
• Spirea – Long bloom season and pollinator friendly
• Viburnum – Fragrant flowers and colorful berries
• Weigela – Colorful foliage and trumpet blooms

Vines
• Honeysuckle – Fragrant blooms that attract hummingbirds

Extra Protection for High-Risk Areas

For gardens with heavy deer pressure, combine deer-resistant plants with additional protection:
• Apply repellents regularly, especially after rain
• Use netting or screening around newly planted areas
• Protect vegetable gardens and container plantings with barriers
• Rotate deterrent products throughout the season

With the right combination of plants and protection, you can enjoy a beautiful landscape while keeping deer damage to a minimum.

Here is a full list of Deer-resistant plants.

Here’s our list of things to do this month to keep the garden looking great.

MAINTENANCE

• Finish preparing your planting beds by adding organic material and soil amendments. The soil is the most important factor in successful gardening. Learn more about the importance of soil. 
• Cultivate planting beds and remove weeds. To make maintenance easier, use Preen, a pre-emergent weed preventer when planting. Here are some tools to help with the job. 
• Dig and divide early-blooming perennials once they’ve finished flowering. Learn more about dividing perennials. 
• Divide and transplant late summer and fall-blooming perennials, if necessary. Learn more about transplanting perennials.
• Set supports for floppy plants, like delphinium.
• Set up sprinklers and start a regular watering program. Be sure your lawn and plants get about an inch of water a week.
• Mulch landscape beds, adding a two to three-inch layer of pine bark mulch or nuggets to help reduce weeds and conserve moisture.
• Deadhead bulb plants as the flowers fade, but allow foliage to remain until yellow to nourish bulbs for next year’s display.
• Look for pests. Early detection is the key to plant health. If something doesn’t look right or has insects, bring a sample in a baggie to our Garden Pharmacy desk to get a diagnosis. One of our garden pharmacists will write a “Plantscription” for its cure. It’s easier to treat a problem at the first sign of an issue. Watch our video to learn more. 
• Begin application of deer and rabbit repellents if you find critters are.
• Wait to prune evergreens, hedges, and other shrubs until the end of this month.
• Fertilize your plants with a slow-release, organic plant food such as Espoma.
• Prune plants, removing winter dieback and visible signs of winter damage. Also remove diseased, dead, weak or crossing branches.

IT’S TIME TO PLANT

• Plant summer annuals after the last frost date, a good rule of thumb is after Mother’s Day.
• Plant summer-flowering bulbs such as gladiolus and dahlias. Plant a few every week to ensure continuous blooms.
• Plant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, as well as perennials.
• Start your vegetable garden. Plant seeds, or transplant starter plants into your garden after the last frost date.

Learn more about Spring Planting. 

LAWN CARE

• Repair any bare patches in your lawn. Fill in bare spots by loosening the soil surface and sowing a good quality lawn seed over the area evenly. Tamp the seed in gently and water. Keep the patch moist by using a paper mulch or straw.
• Fertilize your lawn around Memorial Day.
• Re-cut bed edges to keep things looking neat and tidy.

GET YOUR PATIO READY

• Move your patio furniture outdoors.
• Add a firepit or outdoor heater to take advantage of those chilly nights.
• Decorate your outdoor space with rugs, pillows, decor and plants.
  • • Once the threat of frost is gone, and nighttime temperatures stay in the 50s of higher, you can start transitioning your plants outdoors for the summer.
      • Place them in a shaded area for a few days and then gradually increase the amount of time they spend in the sun every few days.
      • Keep in mind most plants cannot tolerate direct sunlight. Even those who like bright light indoors.
      • For most plants morning sun and afternoon shade will keep them thriving outdoors.
      • Make sure any shade plants are protected from direct sun at all times.

Watch our video: Enjoying House Plants Outdoors to learn more.

For more information visit any English Gardens location and talk with one of our experts.

The weather, rather than the calendar, dictate when to start working in your garden. Wait for the ground to dry out a bit before you start working outdoors. To test the soil, simply pick up a handful and squeeze. If the soil stays in a ball after you open your fist, it’s too early. Working in the garden too soon can lead to soil compaction issues, especially with clay soil.

Ideally, the soil should be loose and crumble from the ball shape when you open your fist.

The vibrant yellow bloom of the Forsythia bush is a sure sign of Spring. Forsythia tells you when it’s time to handle a variety of gardening activities, including applying the first application of lawn fertilizer with crabgrass preventer and removing winter protection on your shrubs and roses.

April is also a great time to sharpen or replace your tools, including spades and shovels; and tune equipment, such as lawnmowers, tillers, edgers, weeders, and leaf blowers.

Lawns

First step to a beautiful lawn is raking to remove thatch and debris. Make sure the grass is dry so you don’t do damage. Raking loosens the turf and soil to allows moisture, air and fertilizer to get to the roots. Watch our video on Spring Lawn Care

Next, fertilize and apply weed controls. A convenient approach is a 4-step lawn fertilizer program like Scotts Best Season Long Program. Step one should be applied to a dry lawn in April to provide nutrients as the grass is just starting to grow. This step also prevents crabgrass.

To maximize the effectiveness of the lawn fertilizer, use Mag-i-cal from Jonathan Green early in the season to adjust your soil pH. 

Garden Beds

Before you start working on your garden this season, get a soil test. English Gardens experts will evaluate the PH levels and recommend amendments to correct them. 

Prepare beds by raking soil and removing any perennial weeds and loose debris. Mix in lots of good organic matter, like compost, manure or soil conditioner. Add some early-spring color with pansies, primrose, cabbage and kale.

If the ground is too wet, containers are a great option.

Cool-season fruits and vegetables like peas, carrots, radishes and leafy greens as well as blueberries and strawberries can be planted as conditions permit. Sow seeds directly into the ground, or plant transplants for a head start.

Perennials will begin to emerge from the ground. Remove mulch and winter protection from the crowns of the plants. Make note of any perennials that may need to be moved or divided this spring.

Cut back ornamental grasses, sedums, rudbeckia or any other perennials that were left intact for the winter. Watch out video Gardening 101

Watch Top Tips for Beginning Gardeners

Spring-flowering Bulbs

The first sign of Spring are blooms of crocus, daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. For gorgeous blooms year to year, fertilize with Bulb-tone when you first see green tips breaking through the ground. Continue fertilizing until the foliage dies back after blooming.

If you want to move any bulbs around this spring, be sure to mark them so that you can find them after they’ve gone dormant. If you failed to plant bulbs last fall, check out our new line of already-sprouted tulips, hyacinths and daffodils. They’re pre-chilled and ready to plant. 

Watch our video on Starting Spring Bulbs in Containers

Roses

Apply the first treatment for black spots when the forsythia blooms. Spray both the rose canes and the ground about one inch around the plant. Prune roses so that all canes and stems are headed towards the outside of the plant. Branches pointed towards the inside or crossing branches should be pruned out. Canes should be pruned to green growth or to pencil thickness, whichever is closer to the ground. Help protect your plants against rose cane borer by sealing the pruning cuts.

Shrubs

This is the time to prune shrubs that bloom in June or later. Removing ¼ to 1/3 of the plant each year will give you a nice compact plant with more blooms and stronger stems.

Summer-blooming shrubs, such as spirea and potentilla, bloom on this year’s new growth and a well-done spring pruning promotes more new growth. An application of Espoma Flower or Plant tone will give shrubs to a great start.

Leave the spring-flowering shrubs, such as lilacs and azaleas, to be pruned after they’ve finished blooming. Pruning now will remove the flower buds.

Trees

Prepare your spring dormant oil or Lime Sulfur treatment as your spring flowering trees are breaking dormancy. Weeping Cherry and Flowering Crabapple will benefit from a well-timed early application. Stop Apple Scab on your crabapple and Shothole Blight on your Weeping Cherry this year before your leaves get ugly. When pruning trees, remember to cut back to the branch collar, the slight swelling where the branch meets the tree, for best healing. Healing is delayed if you leave stubs or cut back flush to the tree.

Vines

Prune summer-flowering clematis back to two or three big fat healthy buds per stem. Leave your spring-flowering clematis alone for now.

The best way to rejuvenate other vines is to take off 1/3 of the older growth. Give vines an application of Espoma Flower Tone fertilizer for a healthy start.

Houseplants 

The days are getting longer so you can start feeding your houseplants more frequently. Remember to give them a quarter turn each week so that they grow evenly. When we have a nice day above 55º that’s not too windy, bring your plants outside and give them a good cleaning. It’s a bit early, however, to move them outside overnight. Once outside, an application of a systemic insecticide every six weeks will keep bugs at bay. Watch our video Enjoying House Plants Outdoors

For more tips on getting your garden ready for Spring, come by any English Gardens location and talk with an expert. 

Once your lawn is dry, use the following steps to get it up to par.

Clean Up

Raking and removing dead grass is a great way to start your Spring maintenance. Dead grass and weeds can choke a healthy lawn and prevent new roots from developing. A light raking with a flexible rake or leaf rake should do the job. If there is a heavy layer of thatch then a thatch rake can be used, take care not to tear out good grass plants root and all. This step also allows you to see any bare spots that might need extra attention.

Learn more about Spring Clean Up.

Test Your Soil

Get a soil PH test. English Gardens offers a free soil PH testing  through April 4, 2022, and in-store consultation to make sure your lawn is Spring ready. Most grasses thrive in pH neutral soil. We have amendments to help adjust the pH of your soil, if it’s too acidic or too alkaline.

Learn more about Amending Your Soil.

Feed Your Soil

We carry a soil food from Jonathan Green called “Love Your Soil” which is organic and does two things. First, it’s a “Super Gypsum” that loosens hard compacted soil to allow water and air to get to the roots. Second, it feeds and activates soil microbes so they break down all of the nutrients in your soil so your grass will grow more effectively and efficiently.

Learn more about the importance of healthy soil.

Mow

You can give your lawn a fresh cut once it starts to grow, typically when the temperature stays above 50 degrees for a while. For the first mow of the season, cut your grass on the shorter side, usually 1 inch below where you would normally cut.

Sharpen your mower blades to ensure a clean cut. Dull blades cause tearing and ragged leaf tips, making grass more susceptible to disease and insects. The tears can also turn brown causing a cast of brown on your lawn. During the season, remove only 1/3 of the total leaf blade in any one mowing. Mowing too low can weaken grass plants.

Also, avoid mowing when grass is wet. Change the direction of mowing pattern regularly.

Learn more about caring for your lawn. 

Fertilize

Healthy lawns need food. The easiest way to fertilize is by using a four-step approach with granular products formulated for seasonal application.

Apply Step 1 mid-April (usually around Easter) to a dry lawn. It contains a fertilizer and crabgrass preventer. If you have or plan to put down new grass seed, use Step 1 for Seeding. Do not rake or disturb the lawn after application as the preventer will not work as will if heavily disturbed.

Apply Step 2 around Memorial Day. This formula contains a broadleaf weed killer and fertilizer. Apply while there’s still dew on the grass (or run your sprinklers first) so the weed killer sticks to the leaves of the weeds. Be sure there is no rain in the forecast for 24 hours. After 48 hours begin normal watering.

Apply Step 3 around July 4th. It contains a fertilizer to build strong roots and strengthen against heat and drought. This step can be applied to a wet or dry lawn. Water in after application.

Apply Step 4 around Labor Day. This step contains fall fertilizer to fortify the lawn through the fall and winter. Apply to a wet or dry lawn. Water in after application.

Learn more about caring for your lawn. 

Weeds

Spring is the best time to kill grassy weeds by using a pre-emergent weed controller. This will prevent grassy weeds like Crabgrass from germinating and can only be applied in early Spring.

Broadleaf weeds like Dandelions can not be prevented and can only be killed when they are actively growing. If you did not apply a product like step 2, there are several liquid or granular products that can be used to kill them.

Controlling weeds is essential for good lawn growth. A few weeds of either type can be spot treated with controls for each specific kind of weed. If they’ve overtaken the yard, you’ll find the best results from a granular treatment combined with fertilizer that can be applied to the entire lawn.

Check with the experts at English Gardens for a customized program for your yard.

Learn more about Crabgrass Control.

Water

Watering in the Spring is the last item on your checklist. Because of the amount of rain we usually see in the Spring, waiting to water until later in the season will be fine. Water your lawn only as needed, and thoroughly enough to penetrate the root system. A deeper watering two to three times per week is best.

Learn more about caring for your lawn. 

General watering guidelines:

• Apply one to two inches of water per week
• Keep newly seeded lawns moist until established.
• Water lightly frequently (twice a day – more often if weather is windy, hot or dry) for first two weeks.
• As the lawn becomes established, water deeply – only as needed.
• Water early in the morning to reduce the susceptibility of disease.
• Use a rain gauge to accurately measure water.

Follow these few steps and you’ll have the greenest lawn in the neighborhood!

For more information, visit your local English Gardens store and talk to one of our lawn care experts.