Garden Activities for April

Camellia ‘Magnoliaflora’

Spring is off to a faster start this year but we still are experiencing cold nights and some cold days. As much as the temptation beckons, avoid planting tender annuals and vegetables until the ground is warmer. This is a great time to get shrubs and trees in the ground.

• Planting – An excellent time to plant trees, shrubs, roses and perennials before the weather gets drier. Wait until the mid to late part of the month to plant tender annuals and warm-season vegetables. Also near the end of the month, bring out dahlias and cannas that were stored during the winter.
• Pruning – Early flowering shrubs (forsythia, rhododendron, quince) should be pruned immediately after flowering. Shear back heather, kinnikinick, cotoneaster, epimedium and creeping St. Johns Wort. If you haven’t cut back perennials, do that soon. Shear back hardy fuchsia to the ground. Allow foliage of spring-flowering bulbs to brown and die down before removing.
• Fertilizing – Roses should be fertilized with a granular fertilizer when new leaves develop later in the month. Do not fertilize newly planted trees. Wait and fertilize early blooming shrubs such as camellias and rhododendrons after they bloom. This is a good time to apply compost and other organic fertilizer as a top dressing.
• Weeding – Get a head-start on weeding! You will thank yourself later.
• Watering – Most plants need at least one inch of water per week. Newly planted trees and shrubs should be watered several times per week until they get established. Be aware that, although it seems we get frequent rain this time of year, it is usually light rain showers. Be sure to water newly planted trees and shrubs deeply.
• Lawns – Overseeding existing lawns or seeding new ones can be done now. Older lawns (3 or more years) can be aerated and thatched if needed. Fertilize existing lawns with nitrogen. A good fertilizer for the grass is Triple Start 16-16-16.
• Vegetables – Continue to plant cool-season crops of broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, chard, chives, endive, leeks, lettuce, peas, radishes, rhubarb, rutabagas, spinach and turnips. It is too early to plant tomatoes and other tender crops out in the open.