April Gardening Tasks

Realizing April is right around the corner and there are many gardening tasks and duites to be undertaken, I thought this list may be helpful and of use...

April Gardening Tasks

Planning:

Choose planting areas based on exposure to sun, shade, wind as well as distance from water source.
Study garden for gaps that can be filled by spring flowering bulbs, and put in order in August.
Choose flowering trees and shrubs for color and time of bloom to add to the garden in fall.

Chores and Maintenance:
Continue to remove winter mulches and debris.
Continue to dig beds in preparation for planting.
Complete adding compost to planting bed soil.
Place peony supports as well as any other flowers that require it.
Cultivate planting beds and carefully remove weeds (Alway make sure you know what you are removing,before removing it)
Remove mounded earth from roses
Prepare bare-root and potted roses for planting; soak overnight in fish emulsion
Continue to apply horticultural oil sprays to control insect pests on trees if temperature is over 40.
Test lawn soil and apply lime if warranted

Planting:
Continue to plant deciduous and evergreen trees and shrubs, weather and soil conditions permitting
Sow seeds of hardy annuals in place in the garden
Sow seeds of peas, carrots and radishes
Start seed indoors for summer crops
Plant out seedlings of cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli if soil is workable
Plant out seedlings of cool-season annuals like pansies and snapdragons
Continue to plant and transplant perennials
Complete rose planting
Plant strawberries
Re-seed bare lawn areas

Pruning/Fertilizing:
Complete removal of diseased, weak, or crossing branches
Complete rose pruning but wait until after flowering on climbers and ramblers
Prune late flowering shrubs such as buddleia and hydrangea
Prune early spring-flowering shrubs immediately after flowers die
Wait to prune evergreens, hedges and other shrubs until early summer
Fertilize fruit trees and roses
Fertilize perennials when you see 2-3? of new growth
Fertilize bulbs as they finish blooming
Complete lawn fertilization if not done in the fall

Indoors:
Continue to transplant houseplants which need repotting
Continue to inspect for pests and control as needed
Complete shaping leggy houseplants