The following "reminder list" is based on a Zone 6a growing region, which is centrally located for the North American growing areas. For areas north of Zone 6a add roughly one week per zone for any times given. For areas south, subtract roughly one week per zone. Don't know your hardiness zone? Find it quick on our "Plant Hardiness Zone Map".
 

April is the month when all outdoor activities go into high gear. Flowers and vegetables are planted in mass, lawns start being mowed and all the "fix-ups" start being done. April is the month when the world of the gardener is a riot of color as plants start blooming. This month it may seem as if there are not enough hours in the day to get everything done. The weather is warming nicely, the trees, shrubs and perennials are sprouting forth new growth quickly as they awaken from a long winters nap and outdoor folks everywhere seem to want to get everything done at once.

But April is also a month of quickly changeable weather, going from one extreme to another. In April, the weather can go from balmy, warm days to freezing cold in short order. Gardeners everywhere keep a wary eye on the weather to take action quickly when weather extremes that can destroy their hard work threaten.
 

Around The Garden

• April is when the garden work really starts in earnest. You probably haven't worked hard all winter, so start out slow to avoid a Monday morning backache.

• Plant perennial vegetables like asparagus, rhubarb, horseradish, etc. It's also time to plant peas, carrots, beets, spinach, cauliflower, cabbage, etc. Root crops like potatoes, radishes, parsnips and onions can be planted at anytime. Late this month you can plant beans and corn. Warmer weather crops like tomatoes, squash, cucumbers and peppers should not be planted until next month.

• As your direct-seeded crops sprout, be sure to keep them thinned out to avoid crowding. Many of the thinnings make great additions to salads, so don't be quick to toss them aside.

• April is the month for planting summer flowering bulbs like dahlias, gladiolas and lilies. Mix bulb fertilizer, processed manure and peat moss into the planting soil. Tuberous Begonias and Cannas should not be set outdoors until all danger of frost has passed, so wait until next month.

• Plant annual seeds of asters, cosmos, marigolds, zinnias in the garden by mid month.

• As you plant seeds of vining crops such as cucumber, peas, squash, beans, etc. install a trellis support at the same time. Train the plants up immediately to save space.

• As they finish blooming, you should deadhead your spring flowering bulbs (remove flower stalk all the way to the base). Do not cut off the green foliage yet! These green leaves continue to grow for a few weeks, and provide the bulb with food for flowering next year.

• Apply bulb fertilizer and/or top-dress with fresh compost to your spring-flowering bulbs as they emerge.

• Divide perennials like Daylilies, Delphiniums, iris, chrysanthemums, Daisies, and Phlox. The additional plants you create can be traded or given to friends, or moved to a new area of the garden.

• Control weeds and aerate the soil by cultivating between the rows of plants. Stay on top of the weeds while they are small because they grow quick.

• If you haven't already done so, cut out all the dead canes from your raspberry patch early this month. The new canes that will bear this year's fruit should have new, swollen buds along the edges. Thin these to five canes per foot of row to allow good air circulation and prevent overcrowding.

• When danger of frost has passed, uncover strawberry beds and keep them well watered.

• While normally a rainy month, it may fool you. So keep newly planted plants and seeds well watered.

• Give the compost pile a good turn and sift out finished compost. Cover it during times of rainy weather to prevent leaching.

Around The Landscape

• Trees and shrubs can still be planted this month but by the end of the month it will be getting a little late to guarantee survival. So plant early, water regularly and mulch heavily.

• April is a great time to select and plant fruit trees and berry plants. Fruits and berries do best when planted in full sun.

• April is an ideal time to prune and sheer evergreens. Remove all dead, diseased, and undesirable wood. However, do not prune back into the bare wood part of the plant because evergreens don't normally resprout from woody, bare branches.

• Prune your Forsythia after it finishes flowering. Remove any old center canes in order to keep new wood forming and promote good air circulation.

• Broadleaf and needle leaf evergreens benefit most from lightly spreading a high nitrogen fertilizer around their bases.

• Hybrid Tea Roses should be fertilized prior to buds beginning to bloom.

• Plant new rosebushes before growth starts and buds swell.

• Remove winter-killed stems on roses.

• If you have a pond or pool you should set aquatic plants any time after the middle of the month.

• The application of a spring type of lawn fertilizer should perk up the lawn and improve its over-all color and appearance.

• Early April is the time to dethatch and aerate the lawn. Overseed or spot seed now with roughly 1 pound of high quality seed per 300 square feet to fill in the lawn and bare spots. Apply a light compost or soil over the seed to keep it moist and in place. 

• As it becomes necessary to mow, keep the blade sharp to prevent damage to the grass. Set the mower higher than normal for the first 2 or 3 mowing's to shade the ground and prevent many weeds from sprouting and to provide more blade surface to help feed the grass after a long winters sleep.

• Be sure to take a little time to check the plants in containers and those under the eaves of the house and under tall evergreens to see that they are getting enough water.

• If you receive mail-order plants or can't resist the urge to pick up a few perennials before you are ready, make a trench and heel them into the ground in a protected area.

On The Patio

• If you were unable to do so in March, thoroughly clean your patio and if necessary, reseal it now so it will be ready for outdoor entertaining.

• Thoroughly clean that patio furniture now and repair or paint any that has become loose or faded.

• If you didn't do so last month, get that grill cleaned and ready now. If you have a gas grill, take special care to check out the gas system thoroughly and repair as needed.

• Install any patio lighting needed now before it's time to entertain and consider adding a water feature to your outdoor entertaining area.

• Add pots and containers of brightly colored plants to your patio or deck to brighten the space and add interest. Consider adding large containers planted with small trees to add definition to your outdoor space.

In The Shed

• With the warm weather, April is a good month to clean out the garden shed and discover all those tools and supplies you forgot you had.

• With the shed cleaned out, wouldn't this be a good time to add some organization? Look for inexpensive shelving and easy to clean plastic storage bins.

In The Home

• Don't be in to big of a hurry to move your houseplants outdoors yet. Wait until the night temperatures are consistently in the 50's or higher and all danger of frost has passed.

• New growth has begin in earnest. Rotate your houseplants so that each side receives it's share of light, for even growth and a balanced shape.

• As the sun's rays strengthen, some plants, such as African Violets, may need to be moved away from a south-facing window to avoid leaf scorch. Try moving them to an east window.

• Spring cleaning your plants will keep them beautiful and help to avoid diseases. Remove any spent flowers, dead leaves or branches, or any yellowing leaves. Rinse the dust from the leaves with the kitchen sprayer. Clean leaves allow the plant to breathe!

• Pinching back the tips of foliage plants will stimulate new growth and make your plant fuller and bushier.

• When pinching back houseplants, many of the cuttings can be rooted to increase the number of plants.

For Yourself

• Take a stroll in the woods or the park at least once each season to enjoy a little bit of Mother Natures gardening handiwork!

• Driving around the neighborhood, or visiting a local nursery may give you some great ideas of what you'd like to have blooming in your yard at this time next year.

• Take some down time for yourself this busy season. Take time to enjoy a pleasant spring evening on your patio or deck just to watch the world around you renew itself from its long winter nap. This can be of vital importance in this busy time of year. It is easy to become so busy in springs hurry that we forget to take time to enjoy.

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The information presented in a gardeners calendar is derived from many sources including practical experience of the writer. While we strive to present only fact5ual information, no guarantee is given, whether expressed or implied as to its completeness or accuracy. PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises accepts no responsibility for any damages resulting from the use of this material. As with all things, PO'Folks Ozark Mountain Enterprises urges all readers to exercise sound reasoning before applying any information they may obtain from any source.