These months are a very busy time for the gardener, with lots of maintenance, sowing, and planting activities.
APRIL
April 1 – Sharpen Tools.
Set mower for a higher cut during spring months so grass grows in fuller.
April 2 – Rake front, back, side lawns.
Start adding organic yard waste to your compost container on a regular basis.
April 3 – Remove garden debris, like broken pavers, pots, wooden sticks.
April 4 – Tour gardens and identify problems.
Develop a revitalization strategy to address desired color scheme.
April 5 – Remember to turn compost frequently.
April 6 – Start spot treating lawns to remove perennial weeds.
April 8 – Mow lawn if required.
April 9 – Fertilize existing plantings of developing bulbs and perennials.
Do not fertilize lawns just yet.
Early lawn fertilization leads to a less developed root system.
April 10- Identify and prepare areas where summer beddings will be planted in late May.
April 11- Dogwoods and Willows, which have great colorful winter stems, should be cut
back down to a stubby base, about 30cm (12in) from the ground.
April 12- Revitalize your rock garden.
Clear away dead or overgrown plants.
Add small and medium-sized stones to increase garden interest.
April 13- Place plant support frames over tall perennials so new stems will hide supports.
April 14- Add mirrors to your garden.
Placed strategically, mirrors can enlarge the garden or reflect a beautiful view.
April 15- Control climbing plants by cutting them away from doors and windows.
April 16- In a warm, interior space, start sowing tomato plants, peppers, celery, eggplants.
Water regularly and feed weekly.
April 18- Buy bulbs, like begonias, to grow in pots for extra summer flower color.
Depending on exterior temperatures, you may need to start plants indoors.
April 20- Plant hanging baskets with tender perennials.
Hang baskets indoors or in the greenhouse to develop.
April 23- As soon as trees, shrubs, roses, and hedges show new growth, sprinkle general fertilizer (15-5-10) over soil.
April 24- Repaint birdfeeders and add seeds.
April 25- Check water fountain and execute repairs.
April 26- Spread a thick layer of compost as a mulch around established shrubs and along the base of hedges to help conserve moisture in the soil and keep down weeds.
April 29- Apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer (27-3-3) to recently mowed lawn.
Shorter grass blades allow the fertilizer granules to move into the soil more efficiently.
April 30- Take garden photos to see what isn’t working.
Rework garden accordingly, vary shapes and textures.
MAY
May 1- Fill in bare lawn spots by sowing good quality lawn seed.
May 2- Keep newly sown patches moist by covering with light mulch of lawn clippings.
May 3- Eliminate weeds by hand pulling.
May 4- Plant spring flowering shrubs like rhododendrons and camellias.
Newly planted shrubs should be watered deeply every week until fall rains begin.
May 7- Take steps to control slugs and snails before they reproduce.
May 8- Keep compost pile damp and turn frequently.
May 9- Remove any sucker growths from fruit trees as soon as they appear.
May 11- Watch Rose bushes for pests, like Aphids and Black Spot disease.
May 14- If you have pines and other conifers in your garden, pinch off new growth
‘candles’ to keep trees more compact.
May 16- Prune Lilacs lightly once they finish blooming.
Remove sucker growths and dead blooms.
Feed Lilacs with good all purpose (10-10-10) fertilizer after they finished blooming.
May 17- Plant items in rock garden and along walkways.
May 18- Water established trees and shrubs deeply and infrequently to better withstand
summer heat.
May 21- Feed Roses after their first bloom, then repeat feeding every 4-6 weeks.
May 23- Plant or seed carrots, lettuce, potatoes, corn, beans, peas.
May 24- Plant summering flower bulbs, like Gladiolas, Lilies, Cannas.
Plant Gladiola bulbs at 2 week increments until early July to provide cut flowers
until late fall.
May 25- Break off wilting heads of Tulips or Daffodils.
Continue to feed and care for plants until foliage has died back naturally.
May 28- Old Daffodil plantings may be divided and moved when they have finished blooming.
Use care to protect foliage and roots.
Water thoroughly after transplanting.
May 29- Do not dig or move other spring flowering bulbs until their foliage has died back.
May 30- Plant warmer weather crops like tomatoes, squash, cucumber, pumpkins, peppers.
Use a higher phosphorous fertilizer (10-60-10) for better fruit and vegetable harvest.
May 31- Strategically place lights and sculptures to enhance your garden.
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