Annual Home & Garden Maintenance Calendar

Keep your home and garden in top condition with this simple annual maintenance and planting calendar.

Download this calendar as a PDF as it appeared in HOMEMAKERS Digital Edition here.

January

What to plant in your SUMMER vegetable or herb garden:Carrots
Cabbage
Broccoli
Tomatoes
Lettuce
Beetroot
Baby marrows

Lawn Care:
This is a good time to remove weeds, thatch and moss. These pesky items can prevent growth by blocking air and nutrients from getting to the roots.

Home Maintenance:
Clean sink disposal using vinegar ice cubes (this cleans the disposal and sharpens the blades).
Check for cracks, blisters, bubbles and peeling paint, especially on exterior walls. Look out for water stains, moisture and damp in walls and ceilings.

February

Pruning:
Less aggressive Rosebush pruning is appropriate this time of year.

Home Maintenance:
Remove sediment and prolong your geyser or water heaters life by flushing it.
Service fireplaces, built-in braais and clean chimneys.

March

What to plant in your AUTUMN vegetable/herb garden:
Cauliflower
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Broad beans
Turnips
Beetroot
Parsnips
Endives
Lettuce
Celeriac
Carrots

Home Maintenance:
Check paving for cracks.
Check windows and door seals, replace broken or cracked panes of glass and apply new putty where necessary.

April

Home Maintenance:
Clear gutters of leaves and debris to ensure proper water flow.
Cover your pool with a solid net in order to keep out the autumn leaves and to reduce water loss.

May

Garden:
Add colour to the winter garden by planting seedlings of violas, pansies, primulas and snapdragons.

Home Maintenance:
Prevent grime and build-up in less frequently used spaces such as guest bathrooms by running water and flushing toilets.

June

What to plant in your WINTER vegetable/herb garden:
Green Onions (Scallions)
Garlic
Peas
Spring onions
Perpetual spinach
Broad beans
Kale
Thyme
Salad leaves
Green Peppers

Regional Lawn Care:
Cut the lawn nice and short and give a top dressing at the beginning of the winter rainy season. Follow this through with fertilizer after the first rain.

Home Maintenance:
Check that power outlets, switches and all light bulbs work.
Check batteries and test smoke or carbon dioxide detectors.

July

Regional Lawn Care:

Check your lawn drainage during the winter rainy seasons. Lawns with poor drainage often become waterlogged for hours or even days. Improve this by either planting suitable plants for the existing soil type or gradually adjust the soil with organic materials.

Pruning:
Aggressive Rosebush pruning.

Home Maintenance:
Check that windows, door handles and locks are in working order.

August

Lawn Care:

Now is the time for your yearly aeration / scarify (using a spike roller or garden fork to punch holes into the soil. You can even use aerating shoes). For most gardens, you might only need to scarify small patches of lawn.

Home Maintenance:
Clean build-up of residue on shower heads.

September

What to plant in your SPRING vegetable garden:
Spinach
Eggplant
Chilli’s
Radish
Basil
Celery
Coriander
Rocket
Fennel
Parsley
Green Peppers
Cherry Tomatoes

Home Maintenance:
Clear gutters of leaves and debris to ensure proper water flow. Make sure gutters are properly secured and sloping correctly to allow water to flow away from the house. Check that spouts are open and gutters are connected properly.
Check for roof leaks and damaged roof tiles.

October

Home Maintenance:
Check and fill wall, ceiling and foundation cracks.
Clear dead plants and shrubs, check that plants are not growing into cracks and holes and trim trees where necessary.

Do a deep clean:
Thoroughly clean appliances, windows and surfaces.

November

Regional Lawn Care:

Cut the lawn nice and short and give a top dressing at the beginning of the summer rainy season. Follow this through with fertilizer after the first rain.

Home Maintenance:
Check the grout in bathrooms and kitchens.
Check for small leaks in plumbing and taps.
Clean stove extractor fan filter with degreaser and hot water.

December

Regional Lawn Care:

Check your lawn drainage during the summer rainy seasons. Lawns with poor drainage often become waterlogged for hours or even days. Improve this by either planting suitable plants for the existing soil type or gradually adjusting the soil with organic materials.

Home Maintenance:
Assess possible insect issues. Clear cobwebs and prepare your insect repellent measures.
Check, clean and repair patios and decks. Ensure that it is sealed properly, check for loose boards, insect infestations, cracks and that the railing is secured.