April Gardening Brings May Flowers

Taking care of your green is especially important during the spring months. From your lawn to your trees, your veggies to your flowers, even your indoor plants, they all need love and special care. Here are some simple and important tips and steps to take for a successful flowery spring. Control Your Garden Weeds Use a hoe or pull up young weeds by hand before they have a chance to take over your garden. Take Care of Your Lawn • This month and into May, do not water your lawn! Mother Nature is taking care of watering lawns for you. DEEP and INFREQUENT watering creates deep roots and thriving healthier plants. • Aerate your lawn. Perfect time is just before one of the spring rainfalls. • Apply the proper spring fertilizer. Follow the directions explicitly. Again, the ideal time is just before a good rain to wash it into the turf. • If you haven’t already, apply preemergent. • Keep your finger OFF the automatic sprinkler system. Do NOT water your lawn. You are in turf training mode. I know it is painful because the sun is shining and spring is here, but don’t do it. Your lawn is stretching its roots deep. Let them go! Caring for your Trees and Shrubs • Deeply water your trees and shrubs if rainfall has been inadequate. • If your fruit trees haven’t begun to bloom or bud, apply the dormant oil spray. • Fertilize your shade trees with the correct fertilizer. • You can plant trees and shrubs anytime the ground is not frozen. • Use organic mulches (wood chips or bark) to retain soil moisture around shrubs and trees. Flower Bed Care • Now is the time to prepare your soil with an organic soil amendment. • Divide and transplant your perennials that are summer and fall blooming (not spring!). • If the ground isn’t frozen, plant your spring cool tolerant annuals like pansies. • For your spring bulbs, only deadhead the flower when it’s done blooming, leaving the greenery. • In any container or planters, loosen the soil, remove dead roots, remove about 1/3 of the soil and replace with a soil amendment. • Divide your cool season ornamental grasses. Vegetable Garden • If you haven’t already, start planting these hardy vegetables now: artichoke, asparagus, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, onions, peas, radish, rhubarb, spinach, and turnip. • About two weeks before the average last frost (May 4th) plant your semi-hardy vegetables: Beet, carrot, cauliflower, endive, lettuce, parsley, parsnip, peppers, potato, salsify, and swiss chard. Your Indoor Plants Need Love Too • Rotate your houseplants this month, turning them so that light hits the opposite side. This helps ensure even growth and a more balanced shape.