April Gardening Tips
- Mowing high weeds will lessen transpiration and still provide cover to slow down evaporation it will also reduce the amount of seeds produced
- Aerate lawns for better infiltration of water and fertilizer. In heavy soils or poor performing turf, apply sand or compost into the holes left by the aeration process
- Renovate lawns if drought emergency cancelled
- Broadleaf weed control in lawns (air temps between 65-85 degrees F) – less competition for water will help your lawn’s vitality
- 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 other early Spring pests and treat as needed – instead of using water to hose them off try using a small paint or parts brush. Use pesticides as a last resort
- 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)
- 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 updates to irrigation options (if any) such as day restrictions and time of day restrictions
- Undertake any “hard” or rejuvenation based pruning – keep in mind it is always better to make thinning cuts instead of heading cuts
- When pruning look for dead branches, diseased branches and criss-crossing ones to cut first
- 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 and bulbs after bloom
- Perform a soil test and analysis to obtain a baseline of horticultural conditions