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Divide chives, thyme, mint and tarragon when new growth emerges. Layer
rosemary and thyme for propagating.
After the last frost, seeds of amaranthus, celosia, cosmos, marigold,
portulaca, zinnia, and other warm-season annuals can be sown directly in
the beds where they are to grow. Keep seeded areas moist until seeds
germinate. Thin out as soon as they are large enough to transplant.
Surplus plants can be transplanted to other areas.
Check annual beds for "volunteer" plants from last years
plants. Plants that reseed readily include cleome, celosia, salvia,
zinnia, and globe amaranth.
Dont forget to plant for butterflies and hummingbirds.
For instant color, purchase Bonnie plants. Its also time to buy your
Bonnie vegetable and herb plants.
When new leaves appear, divide perennials like asters, chrysanthemums,
daylilies, sedums, daisies, and yarrow. Dig plenty of compost into the
soil before replanting.
Divide crowded liriope plants. Transplant or give away surplus plants.
Plant ornamental grasses as far apart from center to center as their
eventual height.
Start hanging baskets and pots for your patio or porch.
If you havent repotted overgrown houseplants, do so this month. The
new pot should be just a couple of inches larger in diameter than the
old pot. As you move the plant, be sure it is repotted to the same depth
and that the soil surface is about 1" below the container rim.
If your space is limited consider growing vegetables in containers.
Containers also require less time, water and effort than a larger
garden.
After threat of freezing plant cannas, gladioli, dahlia and lily. Mix
bulb fertilizer, processed manure and peat moss into the planting soil.
Plant gladiolus corms every two weeks until July to create a continuous
succession of flowers.
After it warms up a bit, dig, divide and replant cannas and dahlias
after the eyes have sprouted but before they grow one inch.
Transplant red spider lilies and magic lilies or naked lilies (all are
lycoris) immediately after bulbs go dormant (yellowing, dying leaves).
Plant shallow.
Bulbs forced indoors are ready for transplant outdoors after cutting off
faded flowers.
Plant climbing roses at least 2 feet away from wall when the soil is dry
enough to be worked.
Divide dormant miniature rosebushes that have produced a lot of woody,
unproductive growth and replant the divisions like new bushes.
April is a great time to select and plant fruit trees and berry plants.
Fruits and berries do best when planted in full sun.
Plant trees and shrubs now to give them plenty of time to get
established before summer.
Hardy water lilies and lotuses that overwintered in the deeper water
will need to be returned to shallower water.
Plant new hardy water lilies.
Divide bog plants just before or when new growth is emerging.
Any submerged plants that have become overgrown need to be thinned.
FERTILIZE
Always water after applying fertilizer to help the movement of nutrients
into the root zone.
Spread the recommended amount of fertilizer uniformly over your
vegetable and flower garden. Mix or till it, 4 to 6 inches into the
soil, before seeding or transplanting. This method of application
reduces the potential of salt injury to germinating seeds or young
trans- plants. Always apply any recommended lime several weeks
before planting to allow enough time to adjust soil acidity.
Certain vegetable crops require additional nitrogen during the growing
season. Some of these vegetables are tomatoes, potatoes, sweet corn,
cabbage, squash, okra, beans, and peppers. Split fertilizer treatments
into three equal applications: 1/3 in early April, 1/3 in June or July
and 1/3 in September, to produce more uniform growth and minimize
leaching.
Feed asparagus with a nitrogen-containing fertilizer to encourage
production of large ferny growth.
Wait at least 2 or 3 weeks after lawn has completely greened before
fertilizing according to soil test.
A good schedule to follow for fertilizing Bermuda grass, Zoysia grass
and St. Augustine grass is the "Major Holidays Rule." Divide
your total nitrogen requirement for the year by four. Put down this rate
of nitrogen on or near each of the four holidays: Easter, Memorial `
Day, 4th of July, and Labor Day.
The best time to apply fertilizer to shrubs is in the early spring,
usually one month prior to the most rapid growth period. Spread
fertilizers evenly around the plant 10 to 12 inches from the base.
As soon as azaleas have finished flowering, apply an acid type
fertilizer at the rate recommended. Dont over fertilize, as azalea
roots are near the surface and damage can occur. When calculating
fertilizer needs, split the total amount into 3 equal amounts and apply
each portion at two week intervals.
Broadleaf and needle leaf evergreens benefit most from lightly spreading
a high nitrogen fertilizer around their bases.
Fertilize pecan trees now with a fertilizer containing zinc. Zinc makes
their leaves stronger and helps in kernel development.
Apply root stimulator monthly to newly planted trees and shrubs.
Watch the leaves of your plants as they unfold. A plant with yellowing
leaves and pronounced green veins is stressing for iron. Add an iron
supplement containing iron chelates to correct the problem. Follow all
feedings with a deep irrigation to dilute the fertilizer, preventing
burn.
Feed summer bulbs when new leaves emerge with a single application of a
slow-release fertilizer. As plant grows, appearance will determine if
any additional fertilizer is needed. Over-fertilization encourages leaf
growth not flowering.
Fertilize once-blooming roses in early spring before growth begins and
repeat-blooming roses only if necessary.
Roses have high fertilizer requirements. For most soils, use a complete
fertilizer for the first application just as new growth starts, then use
ammonium sulfate, or other high nitrogen source, every 4 to 6 weeks,
usually just as the new growth cycle starts following a flowering cycle.
Cottonseed meal, alfalfa meal and composted manures are organic sources
of fertilizer that work well on roses.
Roses also have a high need for calcium. Lime recommendations are
designed to maintain soil pH within a range of 6.0 to 6.5. A rate of 50
lbs per 1000 square feet is equivalent to spreading 1/2 cup around a
plant to a distance of 18 inches. For best results, mix lime into the
top 3 to 4 inches of soil.
Hybrid Tea Roses should be fertilized prior to buds beginning to bloom.
Using a systemic fertilizer will help prevent insect infestation later
in the summer, as it feeds your rose.
Aquatic plant fertilizer tablets should be used on bog plants when new
growth appears.
Feed hardy water lilies once a month with aquatic fertilizer tables
pushed into the soil when water temperature is above 700F. Keep tablet
about 2 inches from the rhizome or tuber.
PRUNE
Prune spring-flowering shrubs soon after flowering. Keep the natural
shape of the plant in mind as you prune, and avoid excessive cutting
except where necessary to control size.
Prune grapes and fruit trees now. Dont wait.
If you have nandinas in your landscape, you know they grow like bamboo,
with long canes and leaves at the tops of the branches. Prune them by
cutting one-third of the canes at one- third of the plants height.
Prune another third at two-thirds of its height, and leave one-third
alone. Mahonia and Aucuba can also be pruned this way.
Prune wisteria after blooming.
If you have junipers, conifers or cypress that needs shearing or
pruning, now is the time to do it. Keep your pruning cuts within the
green (foliage) parts of the plant. If you cut back into bare branches
it is sometimes difficult or impossible for the plant to re-grow from
the old growth.
Wait until spring-flowering plants, such as azaleas, camellias,
forsythias, quince and spireas, have finished blooming before pruning
them. When you do prune them, you shouldnt shear these plants.
Selectively remove branches to maintain the beauty and shape of the
plants.
Removing spent flowers, trimming back excessive growth, and applying
fertilizer to an established annual bed can do wonders towards
rejuvenating and extending the life of the planting.
Prune lavender and sage as new growth begins. DO NOT cut below the point
of new buds.
After flowers fade from spring-flowering bulbs, cut off flowers to
prevent seeds from developing. DO NOT cut or remove leaves, allow them
to die naturally. The leaves provide nutrients for next years
flowering. If you want to move bulbs, mark where theyre growing and
then transplant them after the foliage dies back.
If your landscape includes mondo grass, also known as dwarf lily turf,
dont mow it. Sheared mondo grass foliage doesnt grow back as well
as liriope foliage.
Deadhead houseplants that have bloomed.
Pinch tips of vining plants (houseplants) to encourage production of new
leaves.
Climbing hybrid tea and other climbing roses may be pruned as soon as
they complete flowering.
Prune rose buds that point outward, suckers arising from below the graft
union and dark- colored canes.
Before St. Augustine grass comes out of dormancy, lower the mowing
height to remove the tops of the dead grass blades.
If marginal plants around your water garden were not cut back in the
fall, now is a good time to remove them before new growth appears.
WATER
As you do your spring planting be sure to plan how you will water this
summer. Place those plants that require the most water closer to the
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