Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
FRAZZLED — that’s my mental state in April, when the garden demands constant attention. But spring is too beautiful not to keep a few hours for savoring. Between planting, pruning, mulching and weeding jobs, let’s take time to smell the burgeoning hyacinths, and to appreciate the rebirth of our gardens. Then, con spirito, we can dive into the following (mostly urgent) April chores:
Mulch. Consider how much you’ll need, then order double that amount. This way you will have plenty on hand for new beds and woodland paths. And remember, you needn’t pay for mulch. I recently received two truck loads of composted wood chips, which cost me absolutely nothing.
Weeds. Every weed pulled now is a thousand you won’t have to confront later. Really.
Roses. Uncover and prune shrubs. Prune David Austin varieties back by about half, and then apply a high-phosphorous fertilizer beneath the drip-line of each. To conserve moisture and reduce weeds, mulch rose beds heavily with either shredded leaves or composted wood chips. Here are the roses I grow at A Garden for the House for June color and perfume.
Boxwood. Hire a professional to shear and shape these enduring evergreens. Use trimmings to make new plants.
Vegetables. To enjoy abundant harvests before hot weather arrives, sow cool-season peas, lettuce, and spinach early this month. Sow other vegetables in make-shift greenhouses according to this schedule.
Annuals. Get the varieties and colors you want by sowing zinnias, marigolds, cosmos and etc. early this month in the same kind of greenhouses mentioned for vegetables.
Perennial Beds. To avoid damaging emerging shoots, clean up beds by hand. Then apply a balanced, organic fertilizer over the old mulch.
Peony. Apply a trowel-full of wood ashes and one of manure or compost (triple these amounts for huge plants). Also, set ringed supports around plants before heavy growth makes the job impossible.
Chrysanthemums. Lift and discard woody centers. Then plant rooted sections 18 inches apart.
Delphinium. Feed established plants with a balanced, organic formula.
Iris. Remove and destroy old leaves. Also, remove any surrounding debris in which the eggs of the dreaded iris borer may lie.
Winter-Sown Perennials. When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings to permanent quarters mid-month.
Pansies, Violas. Plant these nursery-grown beauties in your window-boxes or patio pots. They will give you early — and instant — spring color.
Ponds & Fountains. Clean out leaves, but watch that you are not cleaning out frogs, too. These are emerging from their muddy hibernation now.
Finally, don’t keep so busy with work that you miss out on the miracle of Spring!
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Post your comments or questions below.
Gardenlady says
Well, Kevin, I was fine until I read your list. Now I'm feeling overwhelmed too!
Phoebe says
Kevin, great blog! I'm new to gardening and have a question:
Is it okay to move my hostas now, or should I wait until fall?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Welcome, Phoebe! Yes, now is the time to move your hostas.
Carol says
Kevin, you are so right about hiring a PROFESSIONAL to shear boxwood! My husband BUTCHERED my hedge last summer. This year I'll pay to have the work done!
Erin says
I can't wait to work in the gardens this weekend! I've made a check list thanks to this very helpful blog entry. Enjoy this beautiful weather! and a Happy Easter to all…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Carol – yes, it pays to hire a pro! I learned this lesson the hard way, too!
Erin – Glad you found the April chores list helpful. I find that making a list, and sticking to it, insures that most if not all jobs get accomplished in a timely manner.
And, congratulations on your two BIG WINS for floral-design at the Flower & Garden Festival!
Andrew Thompson says
Kevin, I clicked on the link, and your roses are beautiful!
What do you use for fertilizer?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Andrew – I feed the shrubs with Bayer 2-in-1 Rose Food. It does wonders to mitigate disease and fungus. Unfortunately it does nothing to curtail the Japanese beetle.
Justin says
What beautiful weather here! I celebrated spring's true appearance by planting a crop of pod peas (bush, not climbing).
erin says
Well after checking off many chores on my list, My legs and arms are so sore…Im hoping an Easter coctail will help….
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Erin – Add to that cocktail a deep-tissue massage, and I'm with you. Oh, my aching back!
Brigid says
I had to slide out of bed this morning, my back was so stiff from trimming, planting and transplanting that my back wouldn't bend. The leaves in my pond are endless and it's a small little pond. I never get the fountain quite right. I'll be fussing with it all season as is the norm.
I transplanted my winter pansies into pots. Everything else is still in the plastic bottles.
I love spring! Thank you for reminding me to not work so hard. I am going to savor it and work more in the evenings if I can.
Thanks Kevin!
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Brigid – Yes, many of us are feeling the muscular effects of spring fever!
About ponds and fountains. What nuisances these are. If they didn't provide such beauty for the garden, I'd have my own water features removed. I'm still waiting for someone to come “fix” the pond in the woodland garden, and repair a crack in a fountain in the rose garden.