April

April is a busy month for gardeners. Regenerative plant growth is happening in earnest and this is the month to really get going! Spring bulbs are appearing, so take note of gaps in your landscape, and plan to fill those in when the fall season arrives. This is a good month to prune and shape evergreens; it is also a good time to prune deciduous shrubs and trees that may have been damaged in the winter. Early blooming shrubs like witchazel, forsythia, and quince can be pruned this month after flowering. Feed trees and shrubs now for strong growth and great blooms later in the season (we like Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food for ease of application and terrific results!) If plants in the landscape need to be moved, this is a great month to transplant trees and shrubs, and a good month to move and/or divide summer blooming perennials.
 
Groundcovers can be cut back now to remove unsightly foliage and to allow the sun to warm the interior of plants; hedge shears work well for this task, but for very vigorous groundcovers like liriope and euonymus coloratus, a mower raised to the highest settings can do a great job and save lots of time. Winter mulches can be removed from roses and fertilization and pruning can begin; using a rose fertilizer with systemic insecticide will help control pesky aphids and other insects—be sure to follow label directions. April is a great month to plant season sensitive trees that could not be transplanted in the fall. A few of our favorites prefer to be harvested in the spring if larger balled in burlap sizes are desired: Dogwood, Black Gum, Redbud and Whitebud, Magnolias, Birch, Ginkgo, and most Oaks have been “spring dug” by growers and are in the nurseries now. (Container grown plant materials can be planted anytime!) Now is the time to plant perennial fruit, nut, and berry plants; visit local nurseries to find great new varieties, or check mail order sources like Missouri’s own Stark Brothers—a gardening resource for decades.
 
If spring rains have been sparse, supplemental watering may be necessary, especially if strong, drying winds are prevalent. Most gardens need an inch of moisture per week this time of year; keeping track with a rain gauge is very helpful. Resist the urge to plant all but the cold hardiest annual flowers; geraniums, snapdragons, stocks, and many dianthus varieties (as well as pansies) handle cool temperatures well. Sensitive annuals like impatiens, coleus, begonias, and vinca can be planted next month (yes we like the old Mother’s day timing guide!) Happy gardening!!