Garden

Before Spring (February - March)

Pruning Window

Black Elder — Remove 1/3 oldest stems at ground level Redcurrant — Remove oldest stems, cut side shoots to 2-3 buds Schersmin — Do NOT prune (wait until July)

Assessment

Check all plants for winter damage Inspect Rhododendron for desiccation (brown leaf edges) Check Boxwood for winter bronzing Check Magnolia bark for animal damage

Supplies to Prepare

Balanced fertilizer Acidifying fertilizer (Rhododendron, Hydrangea) Frost protection fleece Bird netting Mulch materials

Spring (April - May)

Fertilizing (April)

Apply balanced fertilizer to all plants Rhododendron — Use acidifying fertilizer Hydrangea — Use acid-loving formula

Mulching (May)

Apply 5-10 cm mulch around all plants Rhododendron — Use acidic mulch (pine needles) Keep mulch away from stems/trunks

Pruning (May)

Magnolia — Prune after flowering (late May) Rhododendron — Deadhead spent flowers (critical!) English Ivy — First trim to control spread

Pest Watch

Check Boxwood weekly for box tree moth Watch for aphids on new growth Inspect Redcurrant for sawfly larvae

Other Tasks

Water if spring is dry Remove suckers from Elder and Magnolia Protect Magnolia blooms from late frost

Summer (June - August)

June — Flowering & First Harvest

Enjoy Schersmin fragrance (peak mid-June) Harvest elderflowers for cordial (sunny mornings) Install bird netting on Redcurrant Water deeply during dry spells

July — Critical Pruning & Harvest

Schersmin — Prune immediately after flowering! Harvest redcurrants when fully red Trim English Ivy and Boxwood Stop fertilizing all plants

August — Final Tasks

Boxwood — Final trim before mid-August Harvest elderberries when fully black Stop all pruning (growth won't harden)

Before Winter (October - November)

Critical: Water Before Freeze

Deep water ALL plants before ground freezes Extra water for Rhododendron, Boxwood, Magnolia

Winter Mulching

Add 8-10 cm winter mulch around all plants Rhododendron — 10-15 cm acidic mulch Keep mulch 10 cm away from trunks

Winter Protection

Hydrangea macrophylla — Chicken wire cage + leaves + burlap Boxwood — Burlap windbreak on north/east Magnolia (young) — Wrap trunk with burlap Rhododendron (exposed) — Windbreak screens

Cleanup

Clean up fallen leaves around plants Remove fallen Elder berries Check Redcurrant for coral spot

Don't Do

Don't prune (except Elder in November) Don't fertilize Don't cut back Hydrangea stems