Free Homeowner Tool
Seasonal Maintenance Calendar
A month-by-month outdoor maintenance calendar tuned for the Central Jersey, NJ climate. Click any month to see the tasks that matter, and print the whole year.
12 months · timed for USDA zones 6b/7a (Central Jersey, NJ)
Heat care
July
- Water lawn deeply 1–2× per week, early morning
- Spot-treat weeds; avoid broadleaf herbicide in extreme heat
- Monitor for Japanese beetles on roses and ornamentals
- Continue mowing high — never remove more than ⅓ of blade
January — Plan & protect
- Review last year's photos; sketch wishlist for spring
- Inspect trees after storms; prune deadwood while structure is visible
- Knock heavy snow off evergreens to prevent breakage
- Sharpen and service mower and pruners
February — Late-winter pruning
- Dormant prune shade trees and summer-blooming shrubs
- Order seed, bulbs, and design consult slots — calendars fill fast
- Walk property; flag drainage issues for spring fix
March — Wake the yard
- Clean beds: cut back grasses, remove debris
- Apply pre-emergent crabgrass control (~mid–late month)
- Schedule aeration / overseed for early September now
- Sharpen mower blade; tune equipment
April — Mulch & feed
- Re-edge beds with a fresh spade line
- Top-dress with 2–3" of mulch
- First fertilizer application on the lawn
- Begin weekly mow when grass hits 4"
May — Plant out
- Plant warm-season annuals and tender perennials (after Mother's Day)
- Install or refresh container plantings
- Apply grub preventative
- Start regular weekly mowing & string-trim edges
June — Establish & water
- Deep-water new plantings 1× per week (1" total)
- Deadhead spring perennials for repeat bloom
- Prune spring-flowering shrubs after bloom (azalea, lilac)
- Raise mower deck to 3.5–4" for heat tolerance
July — Heat care
- Water lawn deeply 1–2× per week, early morning
- Spot-treat weeds; avoid broadleaf herbicide in extreme heat
- Monitor for Japanese beetles on roses and ornamentals
- Continue mowing high — never remove more than ⅓ of blade
August — Prep for fall
- Plan overseeding and aeration for early September
- Refresh mulch in thin areas
- Begin fall vegetable garden if applicable
- Order spring-flowering bulbs
September — Lawn renovation
- Core-aerate and overseed cool-season lawns (best window of the year)
- Apply starter fertilizer on new seed
- Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials — roots establish through fall
- Reduce watering on established plantings
October — Leaves & feed
- Apply winterizer fertilizer mid-month
- Mulch leaves weekly with mower
- Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, alliums)
- Prune dead/diseased wood from shade trees
November — Final cleanup
- Final leaf cleanup and haul-away
- Final mow at 2.5" deck height
- Cut back perennials after hard frost
- Wrap young evergreens; apply anti-desiccant
December — Winterize
- Drain and blow out irrigation system
- Disconnect & store hoses; insulate outdoor spigots
- Stake driveway edges before plow season
- Decorate with cut greens and lights
FAQ
Common questions
Why a NJ-specific calendar?
Central Jersey straddles USDA zones 6b/7a. Timing for fertilization, pre-emergent, overseed, and pruning is different from southern or New England guides.
Can I print it?
Yes — every month prints cleanly on a single sheet for fridge or workshop reference.
Next step
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