Carolina Fence Annual Care Calendar

January:
� Keep bird feeders filled
� Spring Planning
� Begin "Journal"

February:
� Keep bird feeders filled daily
� Late February cut all Buddleia (Butterfly Bush) to about 12'-18" from the ground
� Clean all bird nest boxes and bird baths (10% chlorox solution) and then rinse thoroughly with fresh water

March:
� Keep bird feeders filled daily
� Cut and remove "dead" Passion Vine stems near ground from last year's growth
� Look for signs of insects
� Plant perennials that are available from nurseries
� Fertilize area (commercial 10-10-10 @40lbs/500 sq. ft or organic ones like fish emulsion or liquid kelp)
� Hang hummingbird feeders, fill and clean weekly
� Remove all "dead" tops of plants from previous year
� Ensure watering system is working--check timers/batteries, water pressure and for clogged lines, holes, leaks, etc.
� Put bird bath out-keep it filled with clean water
� Mulch if needed--use pine needles or sterilized oak (hardwood) mulch, black and white newspapers laid around plants with mulch on top, etc., try to avoid black plastic (hot and doesn't allow drainage or air flow)

April:
� Keep hummingbird feeders full, clean and ant-free weekly
� Plant additional perennials that are available from nurseries
� Re-mulch areas with pine needles or sterile wood bark (also use black & white newspaper sections laid down around plants then place mulch on top)
� Plant annuals
� Look for signs of caterpillars/eggs on host plants
� Take photos, keep records

May:
� Plant late growing annuals (like Tithonia-Mexican Sunflower) as needed
� Collect some caterpillars and watch them "change" in the classroom (look on Sweet Fennel, Butterfly Weed, Parsley, Passion Vine)
� Keep a watch on weeds!
� Your garden should really start maturing now
� Set up a weekly volunteer system during the summer among families to check on water needs and to deter vandalism
� Take photos

June:
� Remove "dead" or old flower heads from Buddleia (Butterfly Bush), Butterfly Weed, Phlox, etc. to promote another blooming
� Water, water, water
� Add extra mulch to help water retention
� Watch garden carefully

July:
� Water, water, water
� Pull weeds ("habitat management")
� Check bird boxes and bird baths (clean if necessary)

August:
� Water, water, water
� Pull weeds
� Take more photos-students back from summer break

September:
� Water, water, water
� Add commercial fertilizer 10/10/10 (20 lbs/500 square feet) and Lime (20 lbs/500 square feet) - See March for organic types
� Plan fall plantings

October:
� Monarch migration--check your garden
� Gulf Fritillary caterpillars should be on Passion Vine
� Clean up leaf litter, grind and return to beds
� Place new plants

November:
� Hang suet through March
� Purchase proper birdseed mix and store in metal 30 gal. trash cans
� (oil sunflower seed and suet works fine); other seeds include white proso millet, safflower and Thistle (finches)
� Remove hummingbird feeders and clean
� Plant perennials or annuals like pansies
� Mulch
� Prune

December:
� Keep bird feeders filled
� REST and watch, they will come!