What To Do In the April Garden

Now that Spring is truly here, take some time to revel in the beauty. Cherry trees bloom with loads of fluffy white or pink blossoms, while below them late spring bulbs open to rain & sunshine. Spring flowering shrubs such as the Star Magnolia, viburnums, and daphnes, bring freshness and colour at every turn.

Rhododendrons and azaleas begin their main flowering season in April, reaching their peak in May. Also watch for early flowering clematis.

Visit local bulb shows as now is the time to order unusual daffodils and tulips for delivery next fall. if you are thinking of buying spring flowering trees, visit local parks and gardens to identify your favourites.

There is lots to be done in the garden now in April. Dig plant beds, plant trees and shrubs, sow seeds and cut lawns. Lastly, listen to the cheerful birds as they make their nests, and revel in the joy of spring!

Perennials & Tubers

Stake & mulch perennials such as Peonies and Delphiniums.

Divide Primose after flowering.

Divide summer flowing perennials such as Daylilies, Hosta & Phlox.

Perennial Garden Plant Selector Tool

Annuals

Transplant groups of 4 to 6 seedling plants into bigger containers for hardening and planting next month.

Sow hardy annuals directly into the ground.

Start summer annuals indoors such as Petunia, Zinnia and Cosmos.

Annual Garden Plant Selector Tool

Vegetables, Fruit & Herbs

April 1-15 plant early potatoes, green onion, bulb onion, leeks, kolrabi & cabbage.

April 16-30 sow beets, carrots, parsnips, broccoli, cauliflower, kale, swiss chard and lettuce. Harden off vegetables sown earlier in cold frames.

Sow indoors, Zucchini, cucumbers, and tomatoes in a sunny window or cold frame.

Give a good topping of compost and manure to raspberries.

Bulbs

Deadhead daffodils.

Leave Squills and Grape Hycinths to self seed. Don't remove foliage until it turns yellow.

Feed with fish fertalizer.

Ponds

Set out water plants as the water warms up.

Pruning

Trees & Shrubs

Spray fruit trees with dormant oil before buds open.

Spread mulches under trees & shrubs.

Lawns

After a spring raking, aerate using a method that takes out plugs of turf.

Apply gypsum or dolmite lime to yellowed patches.

Add grass seed to thinning or bare spots.

Top with some sand.

Trim edges around beds and borders

If mowing, set the blades high.

Pest Control

Continue removing any annual weeds now.

Try not to use any pesticides as they may kill the eggs of beneficial bugs too. Instead read up on organic ways to deal with bugs & diseases.

Check for aphids on Roses.

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