February Checklist

• Consider adding a smaller structure such as a low tunnel or a larger high tunnel to extend your growing season
• Consider growing herbs and/or microgreens indoors to add fresh greens to your diet
• Try your hand at starting vegetables or annual seeds indoors from seed to get a jump start on the growing season.
• If storing bulbs, check the bulb's condition to ensure they are firm, removing any soft or rotten bulbs
• Prune grapes and fruit trees in late February – early March
• Fertilize fruit trees at least 6 weeks before they bloom

Pests and Problems:

• Monitor for deer and rodent damage in the landscape
• Avoid fungus gnat infestations in house plants by allowing the soil to dry out in between watering

March Checklist

• Pests and Problems:Consider taking soil samples to determine fertilizer needs
• Plant seeds of cool season vegetables (peas, lettuce, radishes...) as soon as garden soil is workable
• Consider planting peas in the garden every 2-3 weeks (until early May) to extend the harvest
• If it didn't happen in the fall, add organic matter to the vegetable garden to help build and amend the soil
• Avoid compacted soil by avoiding tilling wet or saturated garden soil
• Consider backyard composting or vermiculture (composting with worms)
• If storing bulbs, check the bulb's condition to ensure they are firm, removing any soft or rotten bulbs
• If locally available, plant bare root trees and shrubs, keeping the exposed roots moist until planted
• Remove protective trunk wrap and burlap from trees in the spring after snow has melted
• Fertilize spring flowering bulbs such as tulips, daffodil, fritillaria and crocus
• Plant cold hardy pansies and primrose
• Click here to subscribe to the Utah Pests IPM Advisories for timely tips on controlling pests in your yard and garden
• Prune berries and fruit trees such as apples, pears, peaches, cherries, plums and apricots
• Attend a USU Extension sponsored pruning demonstration near you
• Apply Horticulture oils at bud break (delayed dormant) in fruit trees to control overwintering insect pests
• Apply pre-emergent herbicides in late March – mid April to control annual weeds in your lawn (crabgrass, spurge…)
• Sharpen mower blades and prepare for the season. Set mower height to mow 2 1/2 to 3 inches tall, mow at this height entire summer
• Consider including a native fruiting species in the landscape, including chokecherry, elderberry, serviceberry or currant

Pests and Problems: 

• Click here for the ‘Utah Home Orchard Pest Management Guide’
• Damping off is a fungal disease that affects new seedlings
• Aspen leaf spot may be prevalent during cool, wet springs. Control measures should occur at bud break
• Anthracnose may be prevalent during cool, wet springs. Control measures should occur at bud break
• Control rust mites in apple and pear trees after leaves have emerged and expanded by 1/2 inch
• For pears, apply dormant oil when leaf buds swell. This smothers eggs of the Pear psylla that are laid on buds by overwintering adults

April Checklist

May Checklist

• Plant warm season vegetables and annual flowers once the threat of the last frost has passed. Click here for a listing of the average last and first frost dates
• By planting tomatoes deeper, they are able to form more roots along the stem creating a more vigorous plant
• Consider planting sweet corn in the garden every other week (until early July) to extend the harvest
• Consider the various types of fertilizers. Click here for more information on traditional fertilizer options. Click here for more information on organic fertilizers
• Thin out overcrowded seedlings using a pair of scissors, trying to avoid disturbing the young roots
• Protect fruit blossoms and tender garden plants from late freezing temperatures. Click here for critical temperatures in fruit
• Plant summer blooming bulbs including gladiola, begonia, dahlia and canna
• Divide warm season ornamental grasses when new growth begins to emerge
• Click here for more information about landscape weeds
• Allow the foliage of spring blooming bulbs (tulips, daffodils and crocus) to die down before cutting the leaves off
• Click here for information on planting a lawn
• Turfgrass needs minimal irrigation each week. Click here for irrigation needs in your area
• In compacted sites, aerate with hollow core aerator when turfgrass is actively growing (April – June)
• Control broadleaf weeds in the lawn when temperatures are between 60-80°F. Follow the label and stop use of broadleaf herbicides once the temperature is above 85°F.
• Apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer to provide a long lasting affect throughout the summer months

Pests and Problems:

• Monitor newly planted vegetables for Cutworm and flea beetle damage
• Monitor for Cankerworm damage on scrub oak and Box elder trees along the foothills
• Monitor for aphids on lush new spring growth on a variety of plants. Treat for aphids by using “softer” solutions such as spraying them with a hard stream of water or by using an insecticidal soap
• Monitor for slugs and snails. These pests thrive in moist, cool areas of the garden and landscape feeding on a variety of plant hosts
• Protect Ash trees from the Lilac / ash borer around the first of May
• Control Codling moth in apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Treat for powdery mildew on apples beginning when leaves are emerging (at 1/2 inch green) until June
• Watch for insect pests in raspberries from mid-May thru early June
• Watch for Cutworm damage in turfgrass and new vegetable starts
• Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects. In areas previously damaged, consider a preventative (systemic) insecticide

June Checklist

• Harvesting of asparagus spears should stop in early June to allow the fronds to form for the rest of the growing season
• Prune tomatoes to open the canopy of the plant
• Consider drip irrigation in the garden to conserve water
• Consider planting sweet corn in the garden every other week (until early July) to extend the harvest
• Prune spring flowering shrubs (those that bloom before June) after they have bloomed to encourage new flower buds for next season
• Deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms of perennial and annual flowers
• Thin the fruit of apples, peaches, apricots to approximately 1 fruit every 5-6 inches
• Apply a second application of pre-emergent herbicides in late May - early June to control annual weeds in the lawn (crabgrass, spurge…)
• Turfgrass only needs 1-1 ½ inches of irrigation per week. Click here for irrigation needs in your area

Pests and Problems:

• Monitor vegetables and herbs for earwig damage
• Protect ash trees with a registered chemical to prevent Lilac / ash borer damage
• Control Codling moth in apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Treat for powdery mildew on apples beginning when leaves are emerging (at 1/2 inch green) until June
• Watch for insect pests in raspberries from mid-May thru early June. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Control the Western cherry fruit fly when fruit changes color from straw color to pink to avoid maggots in cherries
• Control the Peach twig borer in peaches, nectarines, and apricot trees. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects. In areas previously damaged, consider a preventative (systemic) insecticide

July Checklist

• Start enjoying tomato the harvest
• Side dress (fertilize) potatoes in the garden with nitrogen in early July
• Harvest summer squash and zucchini when they are still small and tender
• Deep water established trees and shrubs about once per month during the heat of summer
• Deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms of perennial and annual flowers
• Divide crowded iris or daylilies once they have finished blooming
• Visit alpine areas for wildflower displays
• Remove water sprouts (vertical shoots in the canopy) of fruit trees to discourage regrowth and reduce shading
• Renovate perennial strawberry beds by tearing out old crowns (mother plants) and applying fertilizer to stimulate new runners
• Turfgrass only needs 1 ½-2 inches of irrigation per week. Click here for irrigation needs in your area

Pests and Problems: 

• If tomatoes are not producing, one common reason could be due to hot weather (95°F and above) which causes flower abortion
• Blossom end rot (black sunken areas on the end of tomatoes) is common and is caused by uneven watering
• Check under leaves of pumpkins, melons, and squash plants for squash bugs
• Treat for Corn ear worm when the corn’s silk is approximately ½ long
• Spider mites prefer dry, hot weather and affect many plants. Treat for Spider mites by using “softer” solutions such as spraying them with a hard stream of water or by using an insecticidal soap
• Spider mites can be identified by shaking leaves over a white piece of paper. If the small specs move…mites
• Control Codling moth in apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Historically, control of the Greater Peach Tree borer in peaches, nectarines and apricots occurs the first of July. However, for specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Click here for instruction on how to submit a sample to the Utah Plant Pest Diagnostic Lab (UPPDL)
• Watch for symptoms of turfgrass diseases
• Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects

August Checklist

• Beginning in early August, plant selected cool season vegetables for a fall harvest
• Deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms of perennial and annual flowers
• Deep water established trees and shrubs about once per month during the heat of summer
• Turfgrass only needs 1 ½-2 inches of irrigation per week. Click here for irrigation needs in your area

Pests and Problems:

• Check under leaves of pumpkins, melons, and squash plants for squash bugs
• Watch for Mosaic virus in vine crops, removing infected plants to reduce their spreading
• Watch for holes in the leaves of petunias, necotiana, geraniums and other annual flowers from Tobacco budworm feeding
• Protect black locust trees (not honey locust) with a registered chemical to prevent Locust borer damage
• Control Codling moth in apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing see our Utah Pests Advisories
• Control for Walnut husk fly in Walnuts, peaches and apricots historically is done on August 1st and 15th
• Learn how to identify a Hobo spider
• Controlling European Paper wasp with traps is helpful this time of year
• Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects

September Checklist

• Consider planting cover crops to provide "green manure" to the garden
• Click here if you are interested in saving seeds
• Learn about how and when to harvest watermelon and cantaloupe
• For storing potatoes, harvest the tubers once the vines have died down
• Harvest garlic and onions once the tops have dried down. Allow them to cure (dry) for 2-3 weeks before storing
• Store potatoes, garlic and onions in a cool/dry location (32-40°F) away from apples
• Fall is the perfect time of year for planting trees and shrubs
• Go hiking in the hills to enjoy autumn colors
• Divide crowded, spring-blooming perennials
• Consider composting fall leaves
• Start checking pears for ripeness once the fruit twists easily off the tree and seeds are dark colored, allowing them to finish ripening off the tree
• Early in September, apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer to provide a long lasting affect throughout the fall months
• As temperatures cool, turfgrass requires minimal irrigation each week. Click here for irrigation needs in your area
• Plant new lawns or repair insect/diseased areas with grass seed, allowing 4-6 weeks for establishment before heavy frosts
• In compacted sites, aerate with hollow core aerator when turfgrass is actively growing (September - October)

Pests and Problems: 

• To control Raspberry crown borer, use a root drench during late summer-early fall. Click here for more information
• Learn about what causes Bitter pit and other problems in apples
• Control rust mites in apple and pear trees after harvest fruit and before leaf drop. Click here for more information
• Box elder bugs congregate on the sunny surfaces during the fall months. Click here to learn more about how to control these nuisance pests
• Monitor for damaging turfgrass insects

October Checklist

• Click here for a listing of the average last and first frost dates
• Consider adding a smaller structure such as a low tunnel or a larger high tunnel to extend your growing season
• Learn how and when to harvest winter squash. Store winter squash in a cool, (50-55°F) dry location
• Plant garlic cloves from mid-October through early November
• Click here for a list of fall cleanup chores and good landscape practices
• Remove vegetable plants from the garden once harvest is complete to reduce overwintering sites for insect pests
• Protect tomatoes from early frost by covering the plants with a blanket or tarp
• Overwinter carrots, beets and parsnips in ground, by placing mulch over them. This prevents the ground from freezing
• Rototill leaves, compost and/or manure into the vegetable garden to enhance the soil microbe activity
• Limit pruning of roses to the heading back of excessively long canes to prevent damage from heavy snow loads
• Cut back ornamental grasses in snow prone areas once the foliage has dried down, otherwise leave them until spring and enjoy the vertical accent during winter
• Plant spring blooming bulbs through early November
• Planting trees and shrubs in the fall enhances root establishment
• Dig tender perennials such as gladiolas, dahlias, begonias and canna lilies after the foliage has died down and store them in a cool, (45-50 °F) dry location
• Protect trunks of young trees from winter cracking by wrapping them with a white reflective tree wrap
• Dig and remove annual flower plantings
• Plant cold hardy annuals: pansy, primrose, kale and ornamental cabbage
• Prune out (to the ground) raspberry canes that have fruited
• Fall is the best time to control tough perennial weeds such as field bindweed (aka morning glory). Click here for a list of weed control options
• The last mowing of the season should be 1-1 ½ inches high to minimize disease problems
• Apply a quick-release nitrogen fertilizer late fall, after the last mowing (late October – early November) for early green up next spring

Pests and Problems:

• Send diseased vegetable plants and leaves to the local landfill
• Use burlap or other soft materials to wrap evergreens to prevent snow breakage
• Treat for Coryneum blight in stone fruits (cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and plums) at 50% leaf drop
• Clean up and discard all fallen fruit to reduce overwintering sites for disease and insect pests

November Checklist

• If natural precipitation is sparse and ground is not frozen, water evergreen trees and shrubs to ensure they are well hydrated heading into winter
• Winterize - blow out irrigation systems
• Winterize lawn mowers, rototillers by either draining the gas or adding a fuel stabilizer (follow manufacturer recommendation)
• Clean and sharpen dirty garden tools and treat with old oil or other rust inhibiting products
• Disconnect hoses from water spouts to avoid freezing damage 

December Checklist

• Use deicing compounds sparingly to avoid salt damage to landscape plants
• If natural precipitation is sparse and ground is not frozen, water evergreen trees and shrubs to ensure they are well hydrated heading into winter
• Learn more information on poinsettias
• Try your hand at forcing amaryllis to bloom indoors for the holidays
• Click here for information on Christmas tree selection and care
• Shop for your gardener, great holiday gifts include: books, pruners, gift certificate, gloves, a living wreath, pottery, yard ornaments
• Click here to sign up to become a member of the USU sponsored Botanical Gardens and receive discounts on classes and workshops along with other special benefits