A LOT OF GARDENING ACTIVITIES AND CHORES FOR APRIL
Finally, April has arrived. April is a huge gardening month. As warmer weather becomes more consistent, people are getting ready to spend more time outdoors enjoying their gardens and doing more plantings. Here are some great April gardening chores:
GRASS-CYCLING
April starts our lawn mowing season. Remember GRASS-CYCLING. Grass-cycling is leaving your grass clippings on the lawn. Grass clippings are 85% water and break down quickly returning 20% of their nitrogen back to the lawn. DON’T BAG ANY MORE!!!!
ESPOMA BIO-TONE
There will be a lot of planting going on this month. Be sure to include the ESPOMA BIO-TONE with all your new plantings. Bio-Tone is a starter fertilizer that adds mycorrhizae to the soil. Mycorrhizae is a beneficial fungus that helps to promote a bigger and stronger root system. Add Bio-Tone inside the hole so it comes into direct contact with the root system of the plant.
GOLDEN RULE FOR PLANTING
When planting this month, remember RIGHT PLANT / RIGHT LOCATION. Plants may look small and cute in the garden center, but they may only be babies. Always read the label to learn about the conditions that the plant needs to grow and thrive. And, also learn the growth habit and the eventual growing dimensions and then space them properly.
HYDRANGEAS
With Easter just behind us, many of you may have purchased some hydrangeas for color during this time. Keep in mind that these hydrangeas are “forced” to bloom earlier than natural. These hydrangeas are our hardy macrophylla “Big Leaf” varieties that we see in the landscape. Keep these hydrangeas in their pot and protected until it is safe to plant outside, which will be toward the end of this month. The ideal location is to plant with some shade and with enriched well drain soil using compost. Don’t be surprised if the next years’ flower color is different. Blue or pink flowering hydrangea bloom color is controlled by the pH of the soil. Alkaline soil produces pink flowers; acidic soil produces blue flowers. White flowering hydrangeas are not affected by soil pH.
SUMMER BULBS
Summer blooming and performing bulbs are now available such as elephant ear bulbs, caladiums, gladiolas, dahlias, and more. Now is the time to buy with the selection so full but hold off on planting until the end of the month when our soil temperature is much warmer.
NATIONAL GARDENING EVENTS
EARTH DAY is THURSDAY, APRIL 22
The theme this year is RESTORE OUR EARTH. So, plant something.
NATIONAL ARBOR DAY is FRIDAY, APRIL 30
The customary observance is to plant a tree on this day. So, again, let’s think about planting a tree.
“PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS”