April Garden Calendar
Vegetables and Fruits
- Start fruit tree spray schedule when growth begins
- Plant carrots, onions, beets and other salad crops in early April
- Thin radishes, beets and carrots as needed
- Harvest asparagus until spear size decreases.
- Prune fruit trees if not already done
- Plant new fruit trees
- Plant asparagus and rhubarb
- Remove mulch from strawberry bed
- Prune raspberry and blackberry plantings
- Do not spray insecticides while fruits flower in order to protect the honeybees
- Plant beans, corn, vine crops in late April
- Cultivate to control seedling weed growth
- Turn the compost pile after a long winter rest
- Transplant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage in the garden
- Fertilize vegetable garden before planting and incorporate
Flowers
- Remove winter mulch from perennial garden
- Cut back last year's growth from perennials
- Remove seed heads from spring bulbs
- Do not remove foliage from spring flowering bulbs as growth is needed for next year's flowers
- Fertilize spring flowering bulbs
- Add organic matter such as compost before planting new flowers
- Divide perennials
- Plant new roses
- Prune rose bushes
- Fertilize rose bushes for spring growth
- Plant annuals from seed and transplants
Lawns
- Apply crabgrass control by mid month
- Mow lawn as needed, bluegrass 2", tall fescue 3"
- Fertilize cool season lawns with slow release nitrogen fertilizer
- Do not fertilize zoysia this early in spring, nutrients go to weeds not dormant grass
- Spot treat broadleaf weeds such as dandelions, henbit, and chickweed
- Check mower and make needed repairs before season begins
- Sharpen mower blade
- No need to catch grass clippings if mowing frequently
- Do not water unless extremely dry, early irrigation sets turf up as high water user in summer
Trees and Shrubs
- Prune spring flowering shrubs such forsythia and lilac after flowering
- Prune trees as needed, and repair winter storm damage
- Topping is not pruning, never top a tree
- Plant new trees and shrubs
- Remove grass from base of young trees and shrubs to prevent lawn mower and line trimmer damage
- Apply mulch layer around plants
- Keep new trees and shrubs watered
- Fertilize young trees to promote growth
House Plants
- Remove winter dust from leaves by gently rinsing with room temperature water
- Repot as needed, increase pot size by 1"
- Leach excess fertilizers from soil with water
- Begin summer fertilization of plants
- Do not move plants outside until night temperatures remain over 60 degrees
- Propagate house plants by cuttings or divisions
- Fertilize amaryllis and keep in bright light to encourage new leaves