April Gardening To-Do’s

April is here! There are signs of spring popping up everywhere you look. Early bulbs have emerged, trees are showing new buds, and perennials are starting to push fresh new growth. While it’s still early to do all your major in-ground planting, there are plenty of things to plant and tasks to tackle before May. Between soil and garden bed preparation, lawn maintenance, and pottery cleaning and planting, here’s a list of April gardening to-do’s to keep you busy this month and have you ready for mid-May.

 

It’s time to finish planning your garden for the year. You’ve likely spent the cold months making plans for your gardens and now is the time to put the finishing touches on your layout and plant lists. Make sure you know your zone, the USDA updated its Plant Hardiness Zones. You can double-check your zone using the map on their website here. For example, we’re located in Denver zip code 80220 which is currently considered hardiness zone 6a.

 

Make sure your garden tools are in working order! Sterilize, sharpen, and maintain all of your hand tools and long-handled tools and take inventory of what you have and what you might need for your planned projects. City Floral is stocked up on gardening supplies so stop by for anything you might need to purchase or replace this year.

Along with gardening tools, make sure your other supplies are ready for the season. Have hail and frost guard ready for spring and empty any dead plants out of patio and porch pots. Give those pots a thorough cleaning and disinfecting then prep with fresh potting soil. Need to replace a pot or two this year? City Floral has a huge selection of pottery!

 

Clear out those garden beds and make sure they’re ready for May planting! Pull emerging weeds and clear any debris that might be cluttering up your garden beds. Add a fresh layer of compost to amend your soil with healthy components your future plants will love. Work the compost into the top of your existing soil with a trowel.

In your perennial beds: 
Cut back perennial plants and amend these beds as well. Keep in mind, some plants such as native perennials prefer the soil as is (without added amendments).

 

Make sure you’re watering your trees and shrubs! It’s too early to turn on your irrigation, wait until after the average last frost, but continue to water by hand. Prune deciduous trees, conifers and summer-blooming shrubs early in the month. Remove any damaged or broken branches.

Roses:
Wait until late April or early May to prune your rose bushes.

 

Aerate your lawn! This will help water and fertilizer get down to the roots. Rake up any debris like leaves and dead grass. Apply seed if you are over-seeding or apply pre-emergent for weed prevention but remember not to do these at the same time, pre-emergent will keep new grass seed from germinating. Apply fertilizer if desired.

 

Frost-tolerant vegetables can be planted now. These include beets, carrots, radishes, onions, peas, greens like arugula, lettuce, and spinach, and more. You can check out our Seed Calendar for what to start indoors, transplant, and direct sow this month. We carry seeds as well as vegetable starts!

There are also some warm-season vegetables that can be started indoors in April. You’ll find that list on our Seed Calendar as well.

In addition to vegetables, wildflowers and pollinator seed mixes can be direct planted in April. Stock up on your seeds if you haven’t already and make sure to check the back of the packets to help you organize your planting calendar.

That sums up our April gardening to-do’s! As always, swing by City Floral for your gardening needs and ask one of our experts any of your burning plant or garden questions. Happy spring!