Since we’re beginning a new gardening year, let’s consider a few resolutions for 2015.

There are a few rather critical items that if done on time in the landscape and garden will provide gratifying results with a lot less effort. Like a lot of things in life, timing in gardening is everything. We have more “tools” than ever before to make gardening rewarding. If we can just manage some of these key items on time our yards will look great with a lot less time and sweat. We are all up for that.

A few of the elements in gardening that must be done when the timing is correct are:

1) Feeding the lawn- The one thing that “completes” a landscape is a thick, dark green turf of good grasses that is mowed regularly. When this is accomplished we save money and time and can avoid applying most weed control products to the lawn.

2) Controlling weeds in the landscape beds and vegetable garden- These days we have some very good preventive weed control products and contact sprays. When these products are applied at the right time along with mulch we can eliminate upwards of 90% of the weed problems in our landscape beds and vegetable garden.

3) Watering turf and newly planted plants- Water deeply when you water, applying a least an inch of water a week, when we don’t get a similar amount of rain. Use a pie pan to check how much water your sprinkler is putting out. Time how long your sprinkler has to run to collect an inch of water in a pie pan, just one time, then you can be confident that you are doing the job correctly each time you water in the future.

There are a number of other things that need to be done in the yard like pruning or spot spraying for some harmful insects and diseases, but none of these are as critical in their timing as these three.

Here are some suggested dates to help you be “on time” with your gardening care.

1) St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), Memorial Day (late May), Labor Day (early September) and Thanksgiving (late November) - 4 feedings to your lawn that will keep it green and relatively weed free.

2) St. Patrick’s Day (March 17), July 4^th, October 1 – Apply weed preventer to your weed free landscape beds using something like Preen at these times as long as you are NOT planting seeds. If you plant seeds, wait until vegetable or flower seedlings are established (up and growing), then it is safe to apply corn gluten meal. Corn gluten also provides a low level of slow release fertilizer as a side benefit.

3) Lastly, proper watering during drought periods will keep your turf looking good and any newly planted trees, shrubs, flowers or vegetable plants growing well. Avoid waiting until severe stress is noticed.

Now let’s resolve together, that we are going to do a better job at timing so we get a bigger bang out of our bucks with less effort. Go ahead, say it, I ___________, resolve to do my critical gardening items On Time in 2015.

Happy Gardening in this New Year!