Living Landscapes in Minnesota: - Minnesota NRCS - US ...

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Tree Care: Prune trees and non-flowering shrubs in late winter/early spring before they break dormancy. If needed, apply
repellents and barriers (horticultural oils, “tanglefoot”) according to the label. Mulch out to the drip line.
Manicured Lawn Care: Apply pre-emergent herbicides in early spring, before weeds begin growth. Aerate, power rake,
and fertilize lawns in May. Mow to no less than 2 ½ to 3-inch height to stimulate good root development. De-thatch if thatch
accumulation exceeds ½ inch.
Warm-Season Grass Ground Cover: Mow to a 3-inch height and remove residue if necessary. Controlled burning may be
an option if site, conditions, and ordinances allow. You may spot treat cool-season grasses and weeds with glyphosate
herbicide, only if warm-season grasses are still dormant (not green, generally done in April). Ground covers are generally
not fertilized.
Cool-Season Grass Ground Cover: Mow to 3-inch height. Consider appropriate herbicides, or hand dig troublesome weeds.
Ground covers are generally not fertilized.
Prairie Planting: Before grasses have significant growth (April), cut to a 3 to 4-inch height and remove residue. Controlled
burning may be an option if site, conditions, and ordinances allow. This would be a good time to add additional seed or
plants to target areas, and to spot spray or remove perennial weeds, if desired.
Gardening: Start transplants indoors in late winter/early spring. Plant/transplant frost-tolerant plants, seeds, and seedlings in
April-May; all others when the danger of frost is past (May-June). Divide and transplant fall-flowering perennials.
Compost vegetative trash to reduce volume and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Do not compost grass clippings that
contain herbicide residues!
Pressurize and inspect all zones of an automatic watering system.
Living Landscapes in Minnesota: A GUIDE TO NATIVE PLANTSCAPING
“TO DO” LIST
Spring…
37
Planting