Riverside’s semi-arid climate is both a blessing and a curse. The mild winters make landscapes usable and beautiful year-round, but not without a plan to combat the hot, dry summers. See what you need to do every season to set your yard up for success.

Spring

• Lawn Care: Mow once or twice a week.
• Planting: Prepare garden beds. Plant trees, shrubs, flowers, and produce.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune roses in March. Trim hedges in May. Prune flowering shrubs after they finish blooming.
• Irrigation: Install or maintain irrigation systems. Water plants deeply in May as the spring showers subside.

Summer

• Lawn Care: Keep mowing unless grass goes dormant.
• Planting: Plant flowers and vegetables.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune fruit bushes in August.
• Irrigation: Check for drought restrictions.
• Mulch: Apply mulch for weed control.

Fall

• Lawn Care: Keep mowing weekly.
• Planting: Plant flowers, vegetables, cover crops, native grasses, turfgrass, trees, shrubs, and bulbs.
• Irrigation: Keep irrigating to make up for the lack of rain.
• Mulch: Apply mulch to protect plants in the winter.
• Hardscaping: Remove or shrink lawn to add new hardscaping like patios and paths.
• Leaf Cleanup: Clear leaves off your paths, lawns, and drains. 

Winter

• Lawn Care: Mow once or twice a month.
• Planting: Plant deciduous trees and shrubs, produce, cover crops, and some flowers.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune in January and February.
• Mulch: Use mulch to protect plants from frost in January.
• Irrigation: Water new plants more to help them settle in. Don’t water your lawn.
• Landscape Lighting: Brighten up your nights with outdoor lights.
• Fencing: Winter has the shortest wait times for fencing installations, repair, and painting.

Landscaping is a year-round commitment, but so is your personal life. If you want more time in your weekends, hire a LawnStarter landscaping pro in Riverside.