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Gardening Calendar

April is one of the prettiest months in the garden. From spring blooming azaleas and dogwoods, to flowering bulbs there is a sea of color in most landscapes. Make sure your landscape is not a one-season wonder. With all the plants available to us, there are good choices for all seasons. When your spring blooming shrubs have finished their display, that is the time to do any necessary pruning. Remember that not all shrubs need annual pruning. Azaleas can be pruned hard if necessary, but do so as soon after flowering as possible. That will give them a better chance of quick recovery. Follow up your pruning activity with an application of azalea fertilizer. When pruning azaleas, it is better to selectively prune to each branch, instead of shearing with a hedge trimmer. When using the shearing method you tend to have all your replacement growth on the edges of the plants, leaving a void on the interior. With selective pruning, you can redirect growth into areas that need it and get a fuller, more vibrant bush.

Forsythia

Cane producing shrubs that need pruning should have older canes removed at the soil line. Forsythias benefit annually with the removal of one third of the older canes. This method of pruning is referred to as rejuvenation pruning - allowing young, vigorous new growth to begin at the base of the plants.

By now, you should be seeing new growth on all your shrubs and trees. If there is still any carryover damage from last years growing season, now would be the time to prune it out. If your hydrangeas were winter damaged, you will see growth appearing from the base of the plant versus the old wood. Prune only if you know the canes are dead. Hopefully our hydrangeas fared better than last year.

Lilies and Big Leafed Bulbs

As you move your houseplants and tropical blooming plants outside later this month, gradually expose them to sunlight. Too much sunlight too quickly can lead to sunburned foliage. Increase your watering schedule as the temperatures get warmer. For the tropical bloomers, fertilize monthly to keep them in bloom. Fertilization is particularly important for those you have saved from year to year. It is also beneficial for most summer tropical flowering plants to be pruned as new growth kicks in. Keep in mind that they bloom on the new wood, and if the plants are pot-bound, leggy or too well established, they may not put on much new growth, resulting in fewer flowers this season. Prune back now by up to one half.

Many lawns look like a meadow of wildflowers now. Unfortunately, they are considered weeds by most gardeners instead of actual wildflowers, but you know what they say, “one man’s weed is another man’s wildflower”. If you aren’t enamored with the flowering weeds, try to keep them mowed now to prevent additional seed set. Many of the weeds are going to be dying out in a few weeks now. Herbicide usage now is not very effective and may actually hinder your lawns green-up. Keep the lawn area mowed and wait on your first application of fertilizer until your lawn has totally greened up.

April is a prime month for vegetable gardening. There is still time to plant all the cool season vegetables, and we can begin to plant the warm season ones. We are also harvesting asparagus, lettuce, early peas and broccoli if planted early. Utilize your garden space wisely, mulch, water and fertilize. Don’t be too quick to plant the tomatoes, peppers and eggplants. Mid to late April is the earliest they should be in the ground. Many folks plant their tomatoes in relation to Easter, but Easter is early this year, and too early for the warm season vegetables. You typically won’t gain any ground with early planting, as the soil and air temperatures just aren’t conducive to fast growth yet. Let everything warm up, be for sure frost free, and then plant.

Pansies and other winter annuals should continue to shine in the garden through April and May. Violas will last even longer. Summer bedding plants are now appearing in markets. Some summer annuals will tolerate cooler conditions better than others. Petunias, callibrachoa, verbena and sweet alyssum can be planted now with no problem, but hold off a few weeks for lantana, periwinkle, coleus and penta. They prefer warm soil conditions.

Spring bulbs may be blooming or may be finished, depending on the bulb. Remember that all spring bulbs need a minimum of six to eight weeks of green growth following bloom to replenish themselves for next season’s flowers. Don’t waste time braiding or twisting the foliage - it actually hinders the food manufacturing.

Roses are blooming now and definitely growing. If you have climbers in your garden, prune them after their first flush of flowers later this month or in May. Remove some of the older, longer canes close to the main trunk. If you have varieties that are susceptible to black spot, your spraying season should have already begun. You have a number of options to use, but be sure to keep up with the schedule with good regularity. The key to blackspot control is prevention. One or two applications will not do the trick. Fertilize them monthly and monitor for insects as well. If you don’t want to spray, consider planting some of the antiques or environmentally friendly roses: Knock-outs, Flower Carpet and New Dawn are just a few good choices.