Gardening in April 2007

Garden Backpack Sprayer

- Plan, design, and create new landscape and garden beds, if desired.
- Keep a notebook / journal with all your garden information in it.
- Check out your local Garden Society for gardening tips and ideas for your own yard.
- Do not remove foliage from spring flowering bulbs as growth is needed for next year's flower.
- Transplant large trees and shrubs before mid April.
- In early April, cut back ornamental grasses (including liriope) to within a few inches of the ground. New growth is about to emerge.
- Plant annual seeds of asters, cosmos, marigolds, zinnias in the garden.
- Use systemic fertilizer around roses to help prevent insect infestation later in the summer.
- Control weeds and aerate the soil by cultivating between the rows of plants.
- Set the blade on your lawnmower to cut the grass at 2 1/2 inches to avoid scalping.
- Fertilize your lawn this month, as long as the weather is starting to warm.
- Rotate indoor plants a quarter turn so all sides get sunlight from a window.
- Plant a tree for Arbor Day!
- Plant vines and climbers this month.
- Carefully trim shrubs, as birds may be nesting inside. If you see a bird's nest, leave the trimming for another time.
- Clean your birdbath regularly in warm weather.
- One of the best hot-weather, summer plants is the periwinkle (vinca). Prepare to plant these in May.
- Go for a walk in the woods or the park at least once each season to enjoy a little bit of Mother Nature's gardening handiwork.
- Celebrate Earth Day by adopting an earth-friendly practice such as composting or using organic fertilizers and pesticides.
- Plant vegetable seeds of melons, squash, cucumber and sweet corn directly into the garden.
- Plant pansies, violas and primroses for early spring color in the landscape.
- Plant gladiolus every week up to July 1st and enjoy flowers all summer and fall.
- Prevent algae in your pond with floating barley bales.
- If needed, lime your lawn to raise soil pH balance. Lawns prefer a pH range of 6.2 - 6.8.
- Water enough to wet the soil 4” to 6” down. Grass roots will grow deeper and the lawn will be healthier.
- All types of fruits and berries do best when planted in full sun.
- Do not spray insecticides while fruits flower, in order to protect the honeybees.
- Transplant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage in the garden.
- Use a leaf rake, not an iron rake, to loosen up mats of dead grass and remove debris that fell over the winter. 
- Rotate indoor plants a quarter turn so all sides get sunlight from a window.

Dried Fruit Tenders Mixture for Birds

AccugrowT Soil Test Kit

USA Gardening Zones from the National Arbor Day Foundation:
* Click here to see which zone you are in.
* You can also join the National Arbor Day Foundation and get 10 FREE trees for a very small fee!


The National Arbor Day Foundation has what you need here. Click this link and select your state.