WEEK 1

LOUIE FAVORITE/AJC Staff (ENLARGE)

Let spent daffodils' foliage turn yellow before moving the bulbs.

Keep termites in mind as you do spring planting. Do not disturb soil within 12 inches of your home's foundation. Do not apply mulch within 16 inches, so termites can't avoid poisoned earth.

Yellow leaves on Formosa azalea, gardenia, magnolia and Chinese holly are normal in early spring. These older leaves will be replaced by young green leaves in a few weeks.

Fertilize figs. Spread 2 cups of 10-10-10 under the canopy of a well-established fig plant in April, May and June, half the amount for younger plants.

Cat litter and dog droppings should never be added to a compost pile. Put them in plastic bags, then in the garbage.

WEEK 2

A backyard treehouse can be fun, but those built haphazardly by kids can be dangerous. Tree expert Kim Coder has good construction guidelines at http://xrl.us/TREEHOUSE.

Azaleas are fun to plant during their blooming season, but be sure to untangle the root system and spread the roots widely in the hole when you plant them. Mix lots of soil amendment into the planting area.

Miniature roses from a florist are attractive but almost impossible to keep alive, indoors or out. They are attacked by spider mites, black spot and powdery mildew. Best to discard them once they fade.

English ivy may seem attractive on a wall, but it quickly becomes a pest. Instead try creeping fig, Confederate jasmine, crossvine or evergreen clematis.

WEEK 3

It's almost too late for successful fescue seed planting. You can do it now, but be prepared to water in summer.

Mulch underneath tomatoes immediately after planting to prevent early-blight fungus in the soil from splashing onto the lower leaves.

Orange powder dripping from pine tree limbs is a disease called fusiform rust. No spray will cure it. The best treatment is to prune out affected limbs.

Spring storms often uproot trees planted in the previous few years. Excavate under the "lifted" side of the rootball and pull the tree back upright. Drive a heavy stake into the ground nearby and use an old leather belt to hold the tree vertical.

WEEK 4

Seedlings from oak tree acorns can blanket a lawn at this time of year. Regular mowing will kill them eventually, but you can spot-spray with a broadleaf weedkiller if you like.

Warm-season grasses like Bermuda, zoysia, centipede and St. Augustine can be sodded now. Be sure to till and rake the soil smooth beforehand.

Trees and shrubs growing in containers can still be planted. Avoid planting balled-and-burlapped plants now; their root systems cannot survive summer heat.

Wait to move daffodil bulbs until the foliage has turned yellow. To mark the clumps now, stick plastic picnic knives into the soil nearby.

Slime flux causes oak, maple and elm trees to ooze a beer- or vinegar-smelling liquid. There is no cure, but do wash the slime off the bark as it can attract deadly Asian ambrosia beetles.