The Landscape Calendar: Protection for Your Property

It is very important to protect, maintain and enhance the value of an association's landscaping. A key factor in maintaining the community's appearance is to always have a landscape calendar in place. This is beneficial for planning and budgeting purposes. In planning out the year using an annual calendar, one should program the specific items that need to be done per season, in addition to the routine maintenance. As part of this plan, one should also plan for the cost of the items to be done. With each season, certain items should be reviewed to provide the right plant materials and types throughout your property. The following examples are calendar items for the fall in the Southern California region of the United States . You will need to design a calendar according to your own climate and take into consideration your type of soil and local weather conditions.

FALL CALENDAR ITEMS

Tree Pruning ... Trees should be selectively thinned in order to promote strong trunk development and to protect against wind damage caused by the seasonal winds and rains.

Fertilization ... A cool weather fertilization program should be initiated to maintain the landscape in a thriving condition.

Irrigation ... Time clocks should be reprogrammed to change the irrigation percentages for the rainy months.

Weed Control ... A Fall preemergent program should be initiated to eliminate undesirable growth of weeds in the planter areas.

Drains ... Storm drains and catch basins should be checked and cleaned in preparation for the seasonal rains.

Seasonal Color ... Change or install flowers and related plant material. We recommend the following varieties: Calendula, Chrysanthemum, Pansy, Papaver, Primula, Snapdragon, Stock and Viola.

Overseed ... Overseed Bermuda lawns with annual Rye grass to ensure rich green turf in the fall and winter.

Lawn Renovation ... Prepare and overseed lawns that are past their peak, including aeration at least once annually.

Holiday Season ... Order your Poinsettias and Evergreens early. Send association members the policies on holiday decorating and give them instructions on how to handle Christmas tree disposal.

With your landscape calendar in place, you'll have a plan to assure the most beautiful landscape ever…without forgetting crucial action items along the way.

Stella Placentia
Vice President
N.N. Jaeschke, Inc
San Diego, CA