We are a little late on this one but there is still time to check off the list of To-Do’s for your April Garden. Welcome to April, the gateway to a vibrant and flourishing garden in the mid-Atlantic region! The Mid-Atlantic States consist of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington D.C. April offers a plethora of possibilities for all us gardening enthusiasts of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, get ready to be inspired as we explore the wonders of gardening in the mid-Atlantic this month. Our Ultimate Guide for April will cover everything from flowers, vegetables, shrubs, trees, bulbs and more. Grab your pen and paper and let’s get into it!

The Ultimate Gardening Guide for April:

ANNUALS:

• Plant cool season flowers into containers, these include: alyssum, nasturtium, pansies, Violas, annual lobelia, geraniums and calendula. If temperatures fall and frost is predicted, bring them indoors for the night.
• Get on top of any weeds in the garden. Once the warm weather hits they will spread like wildfire.
• Start warm weather annual seeds indoors, these include: zinnias, melampodium, blue sage and spider flower.
• Sow the cold weather annual seeds outside directly in the garden.

BULBS:

• Fertilize bulbs as soon as they are done flowering. Cut back flower stalks. This will allow leaves to grow hence storing energy in the bulb for next year.
• Water bulbs that have not yet bloomed.
• Remove accumulated mulch from around and above flowering bulbs.
• Use natural (our recommendation whenever possible) or chemical deer repellent on emerging tulips, hastas, or lilies.
• Apply natural (again our preference) or chemical insecticides to control iris borers.

PERENNIALS + ORNAMENTAL GRASSES:

• Enjoy and deadhead early-blooming perennials, this will tidy up the plants appearance and encourage new growth, as well as a healthy root system.
• Clear any remaining debris or leaves from garden beds to allow emerging perennials to grow.
• Transplant perennial seedlings that you started indoors into larger pots so that they can get bigger before moving out into the garden
• Plant bare-root perennials.

GROUNDCOVERS:

• Plant new groundcover beds in Zones 7-8. Mulch to suppress weeds.
• Remove any winter debris from groundcover area.

SHRUBS:

• Order shrubs and keep them in a cool dry place while it is still too cold to plant them outdoors. If any break dormancy and begin to sprout before the last frost , pot them and keep in the garage or basement. When the time comes to plant them outdoors, soak the roots in water overnight before planting.
• Be on the lookout for spring pests. If you think you have an infestation, take a sample or photo and take it to your local nursery for diagnosis and treatment options.
• Trim/prune evergreen hedges.

TREES:

• Fertilize: April is a good time to fertilize hollies in particular.
• Check trees for pests. Eastern tent caterpillars, leaf miners, stem cankers, and apple scab symptoms typically show up during April. Again if you notice an issue or are unsure we once again recommend taking a picture or sample to your local nursery for diagnosis and treatment.
• Plant bare-root and container-grown trees into the ground. Soak the roots in water the night before planting.
• Stake newly planted trees and check on last years planted trees (if any). For trees staked the previous year, the straps can most likely be removed, if the tree doesn’t show too much movement.

TURFGRASS:

• Repair any damaged parts of the lawn. Overseed where needed or use cut sod patches if necessary.
• Overseed thinning area where the lawn is looking barren.
• Install a new lawn from seed or sod if you have not yet done so in the fall.
• Fertilize!

VEGETABLES + HERBS:

• Harden off and plant transplants, these may include: broccoli, cabbage, spinach, cilantro, mustard greens and arugula.
• In cooler areas, sow seeds of radishes, carrots, lettuce, dill and beets.
• Cut back perennial herbs when growth appears.
• Harvest 3year old asparagus.

VINES:

• Start annual vines from seed indoors. Vines don’t like to be disturbed, so start them in containers that are large enough to allow for enough growth until the time comes to plant them outdoors.

And there you have it , Aprils To-Do list for all your different plant types. May your days be filled with sunshine, your soil rich with nutrients, and your hearts brimming with joy as you continue your journey through the fulfilling world of gardening. So get to it, check off what you can and then meet us back here for May’s To-Do list in a couple of weeks. x

If you’re in need of a little extra motivation on what to plant before your last frost date, check out our recent blog: What to Plant 30 Days Before Last Frost Dates

Sources:

-Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Handbook -Revised and Updated Edition