April 2008 Garden Tips

• Check all your gardening tools in preparation for the season. Sharpen the blades on pruners, loppers, and your lawn mower. Take your mower in for a tune-up if needed. 

• It’s a great time to prune your evergreens to control size, remove damaged branches, and to direct their growth. Spruce, arborvitae, yews, and junipers can be pruned back before the growth begins. Pines need to be pruned by removing about half of their expanding buds or candles.

• Early spring presents an excellent opportunity to prune some deciduous tree and shrub species, because without the leaves you can clearly view the structure of your plants. Look to eliminate crossing branches that may cause damage from rubbing, and weak limbs.

• Do not walk on the lawn when the frost has gone out of the ground. The weather may be improving with some warm days, but be patient. Stay out of your garden and avoid raking or working on the lawn. Walking on the lawn in early spring will compact the soil, causing problems later in the season.

• Be sure not to work the soil until it is ready. To test it, grab a handful of soil and shape it into a ball. If the ball holds it’s shape, but breaks apart into smaller pieces when you apply pressure with your thumb, it is ready to work. With our late Spring snows it is very important to not work the soil too early.

• To plant cold-loving crops, simply scatter the seeds on the surface to the ground. The seeds will sprout and grow by themselves. This method works best with radishes, lettuce, onions, and beets. In addition, it’s a good time to plant cool season crops such as lettuce, peas, broccoli, spinach, and carrots. 

• Perennials are warming up under the mulch you applied last fall. Be sure to remove the mulch as the temperatures start to rise—the temperature should consistently stay near or just above freezing. Keep some extra mulch handy in case of an unexpected spring cold snap—you may need to reapply some mulch to your tender perennials. The number one mistake gardeners make is taking their mulch  off to early, the late Spring winds up to the first part May is sure to burn the tender greens under the mulch.

• Retaining wall systems may be used to build outdoor barbecue islands or raised gardens. 

• Crabgrass preventer should be applied when the soil temperature is between 52° and 55°F. Use a soil thermometer to find the proper time to apply, remember to chose applications the are non toxic and organic,  Remember also, lawn areas close to sidewalks and curbs warm faster than the center of the lawn. 

• Depending upon the weather, you can usually plant hardy annuals outdoors in mid-to-late April, such as pansies, violas and certain herb varieties such as chives and comfrey. Talk to your local garden centers before planting; they can give you a more detailed list of the best times to plant various annuals.

• When cleaning out your garage or shed, be sure to recycle old pots rinsing them with a mild bleach mixture and drying them in the sun.  Check with your local garden center if they accept these for recycling or go to a farmer's market as many vendors who appreciate using them again. 

• Start fertilizing your houseplants again with an organic mixture such as fish emulsion; the medium cool  sun outside will stimulate new growth be careful not to put plants in bright hot sun at first.

• While there’s still snow on the ground, scout animal activity near your gardens and around shrubs. Tracks in snow and damaged shrubs will help you establish a game plan for preventing damage next winter. You can use this information now and in the future to prevent further damage. Apply repellants when the temperature is above 32 degrees and set up physical barriers such as chicken wire cages.

• In addition, it’s a good time to plant cool season crops such as lettuce, arugala,  peas, broccoli, spinach, and carrots, start potatoes mid April in dry sandy soil.. 

• Visit your local garden centers and farmers markets to see what new, fun, exciting items they were able to find over the winter months. Make a plan as to how these new varieties  can fit into your gardens.

• For propagation of geraniums, take 4-inch tip cuttings from geraniums that have been saved over winter. Remove lower leaves and dip cut end in a rooting powder. Fill a clean pot with fresh potting soil and water. Use a pencil and push it into the center of the soil, creating a hole to insert the geranium cutting. Cover the pot with a clear plastic bag and place pot in a warm place with morning sun. After 3-4 weeks, remove bag and move cuttings to a south or west window. Move outside when the weather warms in the spring.

• Start impatiens from seed, recycle containers from the grocery store. Recycle  Styrofoam containers and punch holes in the bottom. Fill the container with fresh potting soil and add water. Once the water has drained away, scatter impatiens seed over the surface. Do not cover the seed; light is required for germination. Place plastic wrap over the seed box and place in a bright, warm place. When seeds have sprouted, remove plastic wrap. When seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them to individual pots.

I love spring anywhere, but if I could choose
I would always greet it in a garden.
—Ruth Stout