April Calendar

​April is one of those months where winter continues or spring makes an appearance.  I’m anxious to get out into the garden but right now it is under 2 feet of snow.  As soon as that white stuff has melted there are a few things that can still be done.  Pruning dormant trees and bushes is tops on my list once I no longer need to use snowshoes to get to those plants.  This is also the month to start seeds.  Let’s get gardening.

Houseplants, Perennials, and Annuals

• Set out pansy plants when ground is workable.
• Remove rose cones when soil thaws.  Gradually remove soil mound from around rose plants.  Prune rose canes if not done last fall. 

  Vegetables and Herbs

• If ground is not frozen and is fairly dry, rake off last season’s mulches on vegetable garden soil so it can dry and be warmed by the sun.  Remove any plant residue left from last year. 
• Week 3 – Start tomato seeds indoors.  Research shows that seven-week-old transplants produce earliest fruit and best overall results.  Also start Pepper seeds and broccoli. 
• Fertilize and cultivate established asparagus beds.
• Turn compost pile and add fresh kitchen scraps, composted manure, and dried leaves.

 Lawns, Trees and Shrubs

• Fertilize shade trees and shrubs with high-nitrogen fertilizer (16-8-8) when buds swell.
• Fertilize evergreens with 16-8-8 at a rate of ½ pound per foot of height or spread, whichever is greater.
• Prune grapes, dormant fruit trees and berry bushes while still dormant.
• Fertilize established fruit trees with low-nitrogen fertilizer when buds begin to swell.  Use 1 ounce of actual nitrogen per year of tree age, not to exceed ½ pound per season