Landscaping in the North Bay never takes a break. Learn how the mild climate impacts your yard work to-do list below.

Spring

• Lawn Care: Mow every one to two weeks.
• Fencing: Repair damage to fences from winter storms.
• Irrigation: Check irrigation systems for leaks and repair them if you need to. Check what water restrictions are in place currently.
• Planting: Start planting trees, flowers, and summer bulbs after the last frost at the beginning of March. Plant flowering annuals and produce in May.

Summer

• Lawn Care: Mow every one to two weeks. Avoid mowing dry grass and on windy or hot days, as it’s a fire hazard.
• Fencing: Install and paint fences.
• Mulch: Put down or replace mulch in early summer. Avoid flammable mulch within five feet of your home.
• Irrigation: Water to make up for the lack of rain, but keep it between 6 A.M. and 8 P.M.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune flowering plants after blooming is over.

Fall

• Lawn Care: Mow every one to two weeks.
• Leaf Cleanup: Hire a leaf removal crew, rake, or mulch leaves.
• Hardscaping: Install concrete, pavers, decks, and porches.
• Landscape Lighting: Install lights to make use of your outdoor space during the shorter daylight hours.
• Irrigation: Keep watering regularly in September and October, but you can ease up in November when the rains return.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune evergreens, hedges, and shrubs. 
• Planting: Plant flowers, ornamental grasses, and trees. California native plants do well this time of year. Finish all planting before the end of November.

Winter

• Lawn Care: Mow once or twice a month. Avoid mowing when the ground is wet.
• Irrigation: Rain should cover most irrigation needs.
• Shrub Pruning: Prune plants when they’re dormant. Prune roses starting in January.
• Planting: Plant trees, shrubs, and roses in late winter.

You could mow your lawn, plan your patio, and redesign your garden all on your own – or you could hand these chores over to LawnStarter’s Santa Rosa landscaping pros. With these tasks off your to-do list, you can enjoy your free time and stop to smell the roses.