Care Tips

Mid-Spring

• Prune hardy shrubs which flower on current season's growth to two or three buds from base
• Prune early-flowering shrubs, such as forsythia, as the flowers fade

Late Spring

• Plant shrubs that are tender when young
• Remove suckers, shoots rising from ground level, directly from the roots
• Keep newly-planted trees and shrubs moist at the roots during dry periods. Spray foliage with water from time to time
• When the soil is moist, spread mulch of bark or compost in areas where desired

Summer
Early Summer

• Keep an eye open for insects, pests, diseases and weeds
• Hoe frequently to keep weeds in check

Mid-Summer

• Continue thinning out shrubs that have finished flowering, including weigela, cutting old stems down to base
• Take semi-hardwood cutting of shrubs whose new stems are starting to get woody
• Continue hoeing regularly to keep free from weeds

Late Summer

• Take semi-hardwood cutting of shrubs
• Water newly-planted trees well around their trunks - they can take several gallons a week

Autumn
Early Autumn

• Feed half-hardy shrubs to make the plants less susceptible to disease and frost damage
• Plant conifers and other evergreens while ground is moist and still warm

Mid-Autumn

• Plant new trees and shrubs, stake plants likely to be vulnerable to strong winds

Late Autumn

• This is the time for gathering leaves and adding them to the summer's compost pile
• Continue to plant deciduous trees and shrubs
• Protect tender specimens of trees and exposed conifers which are done to windburn by surrounding them with windbreak material
• Cover winter and spring-flowering shrubs with netting to deter birds from eating the immature flower buds

Winter
Early Winter

• Plant deciduous trees and shrubs, provided the soil is not waterlogged or frozen
• Protect the trunks of young trees and shrubs from rabbits and squirrels with wire netting
• Continue necessary pruning, such as thinning summer-flowering shrubs, cutting back invasive roots and overhanging branches and general shaping

Mid-Winter

• During mild spells, prune dead or broken branches from established deciduous trees and shrubs while they are bare
• In areas exposed to frost and chilling winds, protect early-flowering shrubs with covering which can be removed during dry spells

Late Winter