Snowfall is no joke in Buffalo, so it’s important to tackle your lawn care and landscaping tasks during the months when the weather permits it. Follow this seasonal landscaping plan to achieve the yard you want.

Spring

• Lawn Care: Mowing can begin in March, as long as the soil temperatures have reached 50 degrees Fahrenheit and your grass shows signs of active growth.
• Mulch: Add a fresh layer of mulch to your landscaping beds.
• Planting: Late May is the last typical frost date. So plan to install your trees, shrubs, and perennials then.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune after late May, when the last frost has passed.
• Irrigation: Since there could be an unforeseen late-season frost, it's best to wait until late May to activate your sprinklers and drip lines.
• Hardscaping: Start putting in patios and walkways once the ground has fully thawed. After Mother’s Day, any late frosts should be long gone.
• Landscape Lighting: Wait until the last frost is gone and the ground is soft before installing new lighting. That way, you can easily bury the wires and secure the fixtures.
• Fencing: Wait until the temps are consistently above 50°F before putting up your fence, especially if you need to pour concrete footers.

Summer

• Lawn Care: Keep mowing, and make sure your grass gets enough water.
• Irrigation: Don't let your garden hose run your life. Get an irrigation plan designed and installed with zones for your lawn, garden beds, and trees.
• Landscape Lighting: This is a great time to install new systems or conduct routine maintenance on your fixtures, bulbs, lenses, and wiring.
• Fencing: Install your new fence or make repairs, paint or stain your existing fence.

Fall

• Lawn Care: The mowing season wraps up at the end of October or early November.
• Leaf Cleanup: Blow, rake, bag your leaves, or hire a local leaf removal crew.
• Mulch: Mulch helps insulate the plant's roots for winter.
• Planting: September is a good time to plant trees. Also, cut back perennials, and plant bulbs now so they bloom in the spring.
• Irrigation: Blow out and winterize your system before temps dip below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Hardscaping: Wrap up hardscaping projects before the first frost.
• Landscape Lighting: Add until late September or before the ground freezes.

Winter

• Hardscaping: Don’t let those snowy Buffalo winters dampen your outdoor vibes. Get a landscape design plan done with hardscaping to bring your vision to life come spring.
• Shrub Pruning: Late winter or early spring.

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