Garden Care Guide

Common Hawthorn Care

Crataegus monogyna

A thorny, deciduous, very hardy small tree that is also native to Turkey. It is ideal for forming impenetrable hedges; it has white flowers in spring and red fruit (haws) eaten by birds in autumn.

Hardy · -30 °C / -22 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: Not needed. The best time for pruning is the end of the month.
  • Plant protection: Against overwintering pests, dormant oil and/or a copper-based preparation (Bordeaux mixture) can be applied at the end of the month.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the trunk and branches for canker or scale insects.
February
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown. Dead and crossing branches are removed during dormancy. A single leader is encouraged in young trees. Use gloves because of its thorny structure.
  • Plant protection: After pruning, apply Bordeaux mixture as a protective treatment.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Disinfecting pruning tools prevents the spread of diseases such as fire blight.
March
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • Fertilizing: At the start of the month, apply well-rotted farmyard manure or compost over the tree's crown projection.
  • Pruning: Pruning should be finished by the beginning of this month.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.
  • Pests & diseases: Check the branches and trunk for brown, fixed bumps (scale insects).
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water young seedlings every 15 days.
  • Pruning: Not needed. Flowering begins.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering begins.
  • Pests & diseases: Look for aphids (green or black clusters of small insects) on fresh shoot tips. If there are only a few, you can knock them off with a strong jet of water.
May
  • Watering: Not needed for mature plants. Water new seedlings every 15 days.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues. Drainage is vital for this plant. In heavy soil that holds water, plant it on a raised mound or berm 20-30 cm high, so the root collar stays above the surrounding soil level.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the branches and trunk for brown, immobile bumps (scale insects). Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
June
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Flowering continues.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the fresh shoot tips for aphids (small clusters of green or black insects). If there are few, you can knock them off with a strong spray of water. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
July
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: The fruits continue to grow.
August
  • Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The root zone should be wetted to a depth of 30-40 cm.
  • General care: The fruits begin to turn from green to red.
September
  • Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
  • Plant protection: If symptoms spread and treatment is needed, consult a licensed plant-protection supplier or an agronomist. Plant protection products are regulated; follow local rules.
  • General care: Harvest begins at the end of the month. Fruits are picked when they color. It is the best time of the year to plant a new hawthorn sapling.
  • Pests & diseases: If you see black spots with yellow halos on the leaves (black spot), collect the diseased leaves and remove them from the garden; the disease overwinters in fallen leaves. Check the undersides of the leaves for orange-brown pustules (rust).
October
  • Watering: Not required; autumn precipitation is sufficient.
  • General care: Finish the harvest. The leaves begin to yellow and drop.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent the spread of diseases by collecting the rotten fruit that has fallen to the ground.
November
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Suitable period for planting and transplanting. Make sure water does not pool in the root zone during winter rains; for this plant, drainage is more critical than irrigation. Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under them.
December
  • Watering: Water a newly planted specimen more often than established plants during its first year, as its root system is still shallow.
  • General care: Good time for planting and transplanting.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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