what to plant & when

in the south
I
ts important to pick the right time to plant. Plant some varieties too late and they may not mature enough before the end of the season; plant too early, you may risk frost damage. While every year is dierent, use these general guidelines and pay attention to the weather for the best time to start. And if youre not sure of your Zone, check our hardiness Zone map at

www.bhg.com/ZoneMap

or put your Zip code in our Zone Finder, found on the left-hand side of the Web page.

zones 78

january

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 2

Houseplants  Annual owers from seed indoors (such as geraniums, begonias, coleus, pansies, and petunias) Cool-season vegetable from seed indoors (such as broccoli, cauliower, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce)

BEgONIA

zones 910

Perennials  Cool-season annual ower seed indoors and transplants outdoors (such as pansy, osteospermum, and primula)  Cool-season vegetable seed indoors and transplants outdoors (such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliower, Brussels sprouts, spinach, peas, potatoes, and Swiss chard)  Cool-season herbs (such as oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, chives, and parsley) Trees and shrubs  Potted and bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for January

1.

Youll nd a high-quality spade is one of your best garden investments. Periodically sharpen the edges to make digging easier all season long. A good, sharp pair of pruning shears makes pruning dormant trees and shrubs a breeze. Theyre also valuable for clipping owers and leaves for bouquets once it nally warms up outside.
PRUNINg SHEARs

GARDEN SPADE

2.
more of what you are looking for:
Learn more about seed starting.

Get tips for planting bare-root trees and shrubs.

See our favorite coolseason vegetables.

february
Perennial owers Cool-season annual owers from seed indoors and transplants outdoors (such as pansy, osteospermum, and primrose) Cool-season vegetable from seed indoors and transplants outdoors (such as lettuce, broccoli, cauliower, Brussels sprouts, lettuce, spinach, peas, potatoes, and Swiss chard)  Cool-season herbs (such as oregano, sage, thyme, lavender, chives, and parsley)  Potted and bare-root trees, shrubs, and roses  Potted and bare-root fruit trees and shrubs

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 3

zones 78

OsTEOsPERMUM

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for February

zones 910

1.

Perennial owers  Cool-season annual seeds and transplants outdoors (sweet alyssum, petunia, nemesia, and pansy) Cool-season vegetables Cool-season herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses Fruit trees and shrubs

A good garden fork is perfect for spring tasks such as spreading mulch around your newly planted landscape. Youll use it throughout the year, too. Protect your hands from scrapes, cuts, bruises, and blisters while youre out in the yard with a pair of gloves.
GARDEN GLOVEs

GARDEN FORK

2. 3.

Stop annual weeds, such as crabgrass, from sprouting with an organic or synthetic preemergence herbicide. Apply about the time forsythia blooms and enjoy the benets for the rest of the season.

PREEmERgENCE HERBICIDE

more of what you are looking for:

Check out our buying guide to nd the best type of garden gloves for you. Learn to plant bare-root roses

zones 78

march

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 4

Perennial owers Cool-season annual owers from seed indoors and transplants outdoors Cool-season vegetables (such as asparagus, strawberry, broccoli, cauliower, Brussels sprouts, greens, spinach, collards, and rhubarb) Herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses

zones 910

Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers from seed indoors or transplant outdoors Warm-season vegetables (such as tomatoes, peppers, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, and melons)  Warm-season herbs (such as basil, cilantro, dill) from seed or transplant Trees, shrubs, and roses Fruit trees and shrubs

SPINACH

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for March

1.

An excellent choice for planting annuals and smaller perennials in your landscape, trowels also help make quick work of planting container gardens. A wheelbarrow is invaluable for hauling just about verythingfrom compost and soil amendments to plantsacross e your yard.
WHEELBARROW

TROWEL

2. 3.

Protect your back and knees with a garden stool and kneepads. While they dont save time, theyll keep you comfortable while working in the yard.

GARDEN StOOL/KNEEPADs

more of what you are looking for:

Get tips for starting your rst vegetable garden. See step-by-step tips for making a raised bed for your veggies.

april
zones 78
Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers Warm-season vegetables Warm-season herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses Fruit trees and shrubs

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 5

zones 910

Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers  Summer bulbs (such as caladium, calla lily, begonia, gladiolus, and elephants ears) Warm-season vegetables Herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses  Tropicals (such as palms, mandevilla, and hibiscus)

glADIOlUs

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for April

1.

Decorate your deck or patio with new container gardens. Theyre also a quick, inexpensive way to add curb appeal. While youre on the lookout for new (or salvaged) containers, also grab some potting mix for the planters. Regular garden soil compacts too much in pots and can introduce diseases.
POttINg MIX

POts AND PLANtERs

2. 3.

A 2- to 3-inch-deep layer of mulch over your landscape keeps weeds down and helps soil stay moist longer.

MULCH

more of what you are looking for:

Get a customized container-garden plan. Check out our video on container-garden design. Learn about the dierent types of containers

may
zones 78
Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers  Summer bulbs (such as caladium, calla lily, begonia, gladiolus, and elephants ears) Warm-season vegetables Herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses  Tropicals (such as angels trumpets, mandevilla, and hibiscus)

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 6

ANgEls TRUMPETs

zones 910

Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers Warm-season vegetables (such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants) Herbs Trees, shrubs, and roses Tropicals

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for May

1.

While dense, sticky clay is common in some parts of the Midwest, every soil type benets from amendments such as compost. A soil acidier will make your hydrangeas turn blue and your blueberries and hardy azaleas thrive; adding lime if your soil is already too acidic makes hydrangeas pink and most other plants happier.
SOIL ACIDIfIER OR LImE

SOIL AmENDmENts

2. 3.

Keep newly planted trees standing tall by staking them for nine to 12 months after planting. Remove the stakes after the rst year once the tree is established.

TREE StAKEs

more of what you are looking for:

See more tips for rst-year tree care. Learn about the dierent types of summer bulbs.

june
zones 78
Perennial owers Warm-season annual owers Herbs Tropicals  Water plants (such as water lilies and lotus) Tender succulents

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 7

WATER lIlIEs

zones 910

Warm-season annual owers Herbs Tropicals Water plants Succulents

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for June

1.

Keep hummingbirds visiting your yard with a hummingbird feeder. It ensures they have plenty of food, even if your top hummingbird plants go out of bloom.
SUNsCREEN

HUmmINgBIRD FEEDER AND NECtAR

2. 3.

The summer sun can get hot. Invest in plenty of sunscreen and a good gardening hat for the sake of your skin.
DRIP-IRRIgAtION KIt

A drip-irrigation kit is the perfect way to keep container gardens and raised beds well-hydrated all through the hot summer. New kits are easy to use; theyre a great afternoon project.

more of what you are looking for:

Get more tips for attracting hummingbirds. Find the best type of mulch for your yard.

july
zones 78
Perennial owers Herbs Tropicals Succulents

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 8

MONKshOOD

zones 910
Perennial owers Tropicals Succulents

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for July

1.

If you havent invested in a good water hose, nows the time to. With hoses, you often get what you pay for; look at some of the most expensive hoses you can aord; theyre typically the best long-term value. Cut your water bill with a rain barrel. Youll be amazed at how much water it catches from your roof after a rain.
RAIN BARREL

WAtER HOsE

2. 3.

Stock up on insect repellent to make time in your yard more enjoyable (and to help protect you from insect-spread diseases).

INsECt REPELLENt

more of what you are looking for:

Make a living picture with succulents. Learn more about the benets of rain barrels.

august
zones 78
Perennial owers Cool-season vegetables Tropicals Succulents

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 9

zones 910

Perennial owers  Cool- and warm-season vegetables Tropicals Succulents

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for August

1.

Reduce your water usage with soaker hoses. They gently seep water directly to the root zone so youre not wasting it to evaporation. Cover them with mulch to hide them and make them more ecient. Dont let deer and rabbits wreak havoc in your yard. Invest in a good repellent product (or fencing).
DEER AND RABBIt REPELLENt

SOAKER HOsE

2. 3.

Add a soft glow to your landscape at night and make paths and walkways safer at night with solar lights and lanterns. Theyre also perfect for adding ambiance to evening summer parties.

SOLAR LIgHts AND LANtERNs

september
zones 78
Perennial owers  Spring-owering bulbs (such as tulips, daodils, and crocus) Trees, shrubs, and roses Fruit trees and shrubs

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 10

zones 910

Perennial owers Cool-season annual owers Cool-season vegetables (such as lettuce, spinach, and other greens) Trees, shrubs, and roses

TUlIPs

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for September

1.

Another wonderful way to add ambiance: Set out citronella candles for a soft glow and lovely light. They may even help reduce annoying bugs. If youre hosting outdoor gatherings, take a look at your outdoor furniture and make sure its still up for the job.
OUtDOOR FURNItURE

CItRONELLA CANDLEs

2.

more of what you are looking for:

Learn more about planting spring bulbs. See our outdoor furniture guide.

october
zones 78
Cool-season annual owers  Spring-owering bulbs (such as alliums, hyacinths, and daodils) Trees, shrubs, and roses

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 11

zones 910

Cool-season annual owers Spring-owering bulbs Trees, shrubs, and roses

DAffODIls

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for October

1.

While there are ways to use a rake all year, its especially handy in autumn for garden cleanup. As weeds grow, youll nd a hand weeder (which looks like a miniature hoe) is perfect for banishing themespecially in small spaces.
HAND WEEDER

RAKE

2.

more of what you are looking for:

See our Fall Garden Checklist. Watch our quick video on fall gardening.

november
zones 78
Spring-owering bulbs  Hardy trees and shrubs

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 12

zones 910

Perennial owers Cool-season annual owers Trees and shrubs

AllIUM BUlB

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for November

1.

Invest in linseed oil to polish wood-handle garden tools. Itll help keep them looking good and stop them from splintering so you can enjoy your tools longer. Make dealing with fall leaves a breeze with a good leaf blower/leaf vacuum combo.
LEAf BLOWER/LEAf VACUUm

LINsEED OIL

2.
more of what you are looking for:

Watch our quick video on how the Better Homes and Gardens garden editors deal with fall leaves.

december
zones 78
Spring-owering bulbs Houseplants

GARDENING WHERE YOU ARE SOUTH | PAGE 13

zones 910

Cool-season annual owers Houseplants

Must-Have Tools & S upplies for December

1.

Use loppers to prune bigger branches than your handy pruning shears can handle. Add cheer and winter color indoors by investing in supplies to create your own terrarium.
TERRARIUm

LOPPERs

2.
more of what you are looking for:

Get step-by-step tips for making a terrarium.