Here are a few gardening tips to get you started for this Spring.
Begin by checking your trees and shrubs to see if they need pruning. Remove all damaged, dead, diseased, and undesirable wood. Prune overgrown or uneven hedges now. To allow more sunlight to reach the lower branches it is usually best to prune them so the base is wider than the top. Prune your Forsythia and other spring flowering shrubs immediately after they have finished flowering. Clean up garden and lawn areas of leaves and debris. Cut back dead stems of perennials and remove any volunteer trees or shrubs.
Now is the time to weed. Getting a jump on the weeds now will save you a lot of work later on. Weeding and mulching early robs the weeds of the opportunity of becoming more established and thus more difficult to control.
Also, check the mulch in the beds. Determine if any of the mulch should be removed and replaced or if just adding mulch will do the trick. Also, inspect weed barriers and decide if they need replacing.
April is also a great month to fertilize spring-flowering bulbs, ornamental fruit and berry plants, and any spring-blooming shrubs that have already completed flowering. Also, fertilize perennials when you see 2-3″ of new growth.
Are you ready to plant?
Once the soil is dry enough to work you may cultivate these beds. Plant roots need loose soil twelve inches deep. Mix in a few inches of peat moss or organic material. April is a good time for planting roses, and perennial flowers and herbs.
Also, if you would like to install a new landscape sooner is better than later. Why not enjoy your new landscape all season long. Now is the time to plan, design, and create new landscape and garden beds, if desired. Why not add color to your landscape.
When selecting perennials and annuals be mindful of exposure (sun or shade), soil drainage, and proper spacing for best performance. For shade, good performers are Hosta, Astilbe, Heuchera, Bleeding Heart, and Lenten Rose. Sun perennials include Daylily, Iris, Coneflowers, and Sedum. Color is everywhere this month! April bloomers include Azaleas, Rhododendrons, Dogwoods, Redbuds and Magnolias. Other landscape plants with interest now include Andromeda, Daphne, Forsythia, Hydrangea, Abelia, Crape Myrtle, Camellia, Weigela, Spirea, and many more.
Lawn Care:
April brings in warmer temperatures and spring rains, so now is a good time to seed or sod the lawn. If you have areas of excessive thatch you may need to take care of this. Also, check shady or heavily trafficked areas. These areas may benefit from aeration and seeding. Did you fertilize your lawn yet? If you did not do this in March then April is a good time to get this done. Also, don’t forget to put down a spring pre-emergent to control crabgrass, if you haven’t already. Lastly, have your lawn soil tested and apply lime if needed.
Many pest problems begin to appear in April. Watch out for tent caterpillars in cherries, crabapples and plums. Look out for Aphids on the new growing stems and leaves of many plants. Other popular plants for your local pests to feed on are Ash, Hemlock, and Elm trees. Lacebug infestations on broad evergreens and aphids on spiraea and River Birch are other examples where problems may occur.
Don’t forget the birds. If you have a bird feeder you will want to disinfect them with a weak bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach in 2 gallons of water). Make sure to rinse the bird feeder thoroughly before refilling them. Water should be changed in bird feeders once weekly.
I hope these tips have been helpful. If you have any questions please email or give us a call. So what are you waiting for? Give the friendly staff at Moyers’ Lawn Service and Landscaping a call today at 301-251-9822 or request a Free Estimate from our website.