Gardening can be a fun and rewarding hobby for anyone, but it can be quite overwhelming for a novice gardener. There are so many things to consider, from planning your garden to choosing the right tools and plants to grow. However, having an annual schedule can help you make the most of your garden and ensure that you have a successful growing season. In this module, we’ll look at how having an annual schedule can benefit novice gardeners and provide some tips on planning and practical activities to get you started.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify different gardening tasks for each month
- Download our Gardening Schedule attached to view more information about what to plant during the year for the vegetable & flower garden. Along with a lawn maintenance schedule and detailed gardening tasks for each month.
Planning Your Garden
The first step in creating an annual garden schedule is to plan what you want to grow. This can be based on your personal preferences, the climate in your area, and the amount of space you have available. You can start by creating a list of plants you want to grow and then dividing them into different categories, such as shrubs, perennials, and annuals. This will help you organise your garden and make planning your planting schedule easier.
Once you have your list of plants, you can start planning when to plant them. Some plants, such as shrubs and perennials, can be planted in the fall or spring, while others, like annuals, need to be planted in the spring. You’ll also want to consider the amount of sun and shade each plant needs and group them accordingly.
Practical Activities
In addition to planning out your garden, you’ll need to do several practical activities throughout the growing season to keep your garden healthy and productive. These include watering, fertilising, pruning, and weeding. Having a schedule for these activities can help you stay on top of them and ensure your plants get the care they need.
Tools
Having the right tools is essential for any gardener, and as a novice gardener, you’ll want to make sure you have the basics. These include a shovel, rake, hoe, watering can or hose, gloves, and pruning shears. You may also want to invest in a soil pH testing kit to ensure that your soil has the right pH levels and nutrients.
Shrubs and Perennials
Shrubs and perennials are a great addition to any garden, as they can provide structure and interest year after year. Some popular options include hydrangeas, butterfly bushes, and peonies. When planting shrubs and perennials, be sure to give them enough space to grow and thrive.
Lawn
If you have a lawn in your garden, you’ll want to ensure it’s healthy and green. This means fertilising and watering it regularly and mowing it to the appropriate height. You may also want to consider overseeding your lawn in the Autumn to help fill in any bare spots.
Seeds
Finally, if you plan to grow vegetables or annual flowers in your garden, you’ll need to purchase seeds. Be sure to read the instructions on the seed packets carefully, as different plants have different planting and care requirements. You may also want to consider starting your seeds indoors before planting them outside to give them a head start.
In conclusion, having an annual schedule can help novice gardeners make the most of their garden by ensuring they have a plan for planting, caring for, and harvesting their plants. By following these tips on planning, practical activities, tools, shrubs, perennials, lawn care, and seeds, you’ll be well on your way to a successful growing season. So get outside, dig in the dirt, and have fun!
Annual Garden Tasks
This outline provides an annual schedule for novice gardeners to follow, covering all major types of plants, flowers, and vegetables and essential tasks that should be undertaken throughout the year.
January Gardening Jobs
- Plan and design your garden layout
- Order seeds and bulbs
- Prepare soil for spring planting
- Prune deciduous trees and shrubs
- Sharpen garden tools
February Gardening Jobs
- Start seedlings indoors
- Prepare garden beds for planting
- Plant bare-root fruit trees and shrubs
- Prune roses
- Clean and sharpen garden tools
March Gardening Jobs
- Start planting cool-season vegetables like peas, lettuce, and spinach
- Plant spring bulbs like tulips and daffodils
- Fertilize trees and shrubs
- Divide and transplant perennials
- Begin weeding and mulching
April Gardening Jobs
- Plant warm-season vegetables like tomatoes, peppers, and beans
- Plant annual flowers like petunias and marigolds
- Prune flowering shrubs after they bloom
- Continue weeding and mulching
- Use a hoe to break up soil crusts and remove small weeds
May Gardening Jobs
- Plant warm-season annuals like zinnias and cosmos
- Transplant seedlings into the garden
- Prune fruit trees
- Fertilize roses and other flowering plants
- Water regularly, especially during dry spells
June Gardening Jobs
- Harvest early-season crops like strawberries and lettuce
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage new growth
- Stake tall plants like tomatoes and beans
- Thin fruit trees to promote better fruit production
- Control pests and diseases as needed
July Gardening Jobs
- Harvest and preserve crops like peas and beans
- Deadhead flowers to promote continued blooming
- Water deeply during hot weather
- Prune hedges and shrubs
- Mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds
August Gardening Jobs
- Harvest crops like tomatoes and peppers
- Deadhead flowers to promote continued blooming
- Begin planting fall crops like spinach and kale
- Divide and transplant iris and daylilies
- Start preparing for fall cleanup
September Gardening Jobs
- Harvest and preserve crops like apples and pears
- Plant fall-blooming bulbs like crocus and colchicum
- Begin preparing for winter by mulching and cleaning up
- Store garden tools for winter
- Plant cover crops in empty garden beds
October Gardening Jobs
- Harvest remaining vegetables and fruits
- Clean up garden beds and remove dead plants
- Plant spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils
- Rake leaves and compost garden debris
- Winterize garden equipment
November Gardening Jobs
- Finish cleaning up garden beds and remove dead plants
- Spread compost over garden beds
- Protect plants from frost and freeze damage
- Plan for next year’s garden
- Store garden tools for winter
December Gardening Jobs
- Order seeds and bulbs for next year’s garden
- Make a list of garden tasks for next year
- Attend gardening workshops or classes
- Plan and design any changes to your garden layout
- Relax and enjoy the holiday season!
Coming Next
Don’t forget to download your detailed Gardening Schedule below.
The next stage of our course is Module 30 – Testing Your Gardening Knowledge.
