FOR MANY YEARS, UMass Extension has worked with the citizens of Massachusetts to help them make sound choices about growing, planting, and maintaining plants in their landscapes, including vegetables, backyard fruits, and ornamental plants. Our 2012 calendar continues UMass Extension’s tradition of providing gardeners with useful information. This year’s calendar includes tips for continuous bloom in the perennial garden, including a helpful chart with the watering and sunlight needs of suggested perennials. In bloom from early spring through fall, garden perennials will brighten your landscape year after year. Combine colors that please you, and make the flower garden a focal point.

The 2012 UMass Garden Calendar features a list of perennials by their time and period of bloom. Expect flowers for several weeks, or longer, depending on weather conditions and the type of plant. These plants tolerate average conditions, but pay attention to their preferences for the best results. Many spring blooming plants will multiply readily (naturalize) over the years.

As in previous calendars, daily gardening tips provide information on garden pests and management strategies to help gardeners reduce pesticide usage as well as “how-to and when” tips such as dates to plant peas, renovate lawns, prune and fertilize roses, and conserve water in the landscape, and many more.