April Gardening Tips
- Mowing high weeds will lessen transpiration and still provide cover to slow down evaporation
- Aerate lawns so that any water you can apply gets to the root zone
- Broadleaf weed control in lawns (air temps between 65-85 degrees F) – less competition for water will help your lawn
- Crabgrass pre-emergent application
- Pick up and remove spent Camellia Blossoms and blemished (brown) blooms on plant
- Cut back frost damage on plants (after danger of frost has passed)
- Cut back tender perennials (Lantana, Mexican Sage) after danger of frost has passed
- Inspect plants for Aphids and treat as needed – instead of using water to hose them off try using a small paint or parts brush
- Fertilize Citrus w/citrus food (after danger of frost has passed) – edibles should be looked at as being valuable and given water to survive
- Plant summer blooming bulbs (Begonias, Lilies, Dahlias, Gladiolas) in pots only – with water scarcity it may be more advisable to use high water using plants in pots
- Plant summer annuals and vegetables – again edibles should be looked at as valuable and given enough water to grow but no more.
- Eliminate standing water where Mosquitoes breed – use it to water orchard trees or woody ornamentals
- Look to your local water provider for irrigation options such as day restrictions and time of day restrictions
- Follow the suggestions for watering from your water provider – you do not need to stop watering entirely!
- Do not undertake any “hard” or rejuvenation based pruning – only prune dead branches, diseased branches and a few minor thinning cuts. Do not encourage a lot of growth during drought
- Release beneficial insects for pest control
- Apply deer repellant in deer prone areas
- Begin control of Bermudagrass, Crabgrass and other noxious weeds Hand weed in and around plants – this reduces competition for water
- Begin training vines
- Prune Spring flowering shrubs after bloom
- Begin thinning fruit on fruit trees – fewer fruit will use less water