Autumn: the best time to plant
As the heat fades and the rains return, the soil is warm and moist. This is the best time to plant trees, shrubs and perennials, to repair or overseed lawns and to spread compost and mulch.
It is also a good time for tidying: clear dry leaves, cut back plants that have finished and trim hedges before the winter.
Winter: mild, wet and a time for pruning
Winter on the coast is mild, and rain does much of the watering. Inland areas and the foothills of the Troodos can be colder with some frost, so protect tender plants there.
Late winter is a good time to prune many trees and to renew mulch. Keep an eye on weeds, which grow fast after rain.
Spring: growth, feeding and flowers
Spring brings fast growth. Feed lawns, citrus and shrubs, mow regularly and prune spring-flowering shrubs once they have finished flowering. Check and restart the irrigation system before the heat arrives.
This is also a good time to sow annuals and to plant tender plants once the cold has passed.
Summer: protect and conserve
In summer the work changes from growing to protecting. Water deeply and early, mow the lawn a little higher, avoid heavy pruning and keep the mulch topped up. Check irrigation lines and emitters every month.
Clear dry material from around buildings and follow local fire rules. In the hottest weeks many plants simply sit and wait, and that is normal.
Adjust for where you are
A coastal garden in Limassol, Paphos or Larnaca has milder winters than an inland garden in Nicosia, and a hillside garden in the Troodos foothills is cooler again. Frost, wind and sea air all change what suits a garden.
Use the calendar as a starting point and adjust by watching your own garden through the year.
