By Shirley Miller
Master Gardener
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April

Gardening Tasks Reminder

Time to start lawn work again. Apply 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet. Use a complete fertilizer in a 3- 1-2 ratio (21-7-14,24-8-16) for April application.

Fertilize Azaleas and rhododendrons after flowering. Use a fertilizer specially formulated for Azaleas. Do not scratch in the fertilizer. Azalea roots are very shallow. Follow package directions.

Fertilize roses. Use a rose formula (8-12-4).

Fertilize warm season annuals and vegetables after danger of frost has passed. Pelleted (time release) fertilizer is more expensive, but does not need reapplication for up to three months.

Always water in fertilizer that is applied to grass or other plants. If no rain falls in a one week time, plan to water. Plants need 1 inch of water per week this time of the year. If you do need to water, apply ½ inch twice during a week period. It is better to water deeply than to sprinkle more often. Proper watering of newly planted trees and shrubs often means the difference between success and replacement.

To reduce weeds and retain moisture during dry periods mulch tree and shrub beds now. wait until weather warms to mulch other garden beds.

Wait 3 weeks after bloom to prune spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia, azaleas, quince, spirea, wisteria and honeysuckle.

Allow spring bulb foliage to die back naturally. The green leaves feed the bulb for next year’s bloom. It is wise to remove the spent bloom heads so that all strength can go to the bulb.

Prune out winter damage on shrubs.

Keep dividing perennials. It is a good way to increase your garden plants. If you buy a plant in a gallon container, you may get two or three plants by cutting through the roots with a knife.

Wait until after bloom to prune Hydrangea. These plants bloom on old wood. If you have staked a small tree in a pruning/training effort, loosen the wires or ties and inspect for rubbing or tightness. Loosen as required.

April 15th is the average last frost date in this part of Oklahoma. Wait to set out tomatoes, peppers and other tender plants. Wait until mid May to put in heat loving plants such as periwinkle, Lantana and zinnias, as well as cucurbit crops and okra, otherwise you may end up with rot from cold and wet weather.

April is a good month to plant broadleaf evergreens. Herbs such as parsley, fennel and dill are good foods for butterfly caterpillars. Plant a little extra to share.

Those orange jelly galls emerging on cedar trees are the cause of cedar apple rust on your fruit trees. Apply a fungicide to fruit trees when these galls are present. It may require more than one application. Continue spray schedules for disease prone fruit and pine trees. Refer to Fact Sheet 6235 and 7611.

Check plants for powdery mildew and other foliage diseases if heavy spring rains persist. Refer to Fact Sheet 7616.

Lace bugs, aphids, spider mites, bagworms, etc. can start popping up later this month. Use mechanical, cultural and biological control options first. Call the MG office for Fact Sheets containing information on Earth Kind Gardening. Some chemical companies combine a systemic insecticide with fertilizer for roses.

After danger of frost has passed, indoor plants can be moved out. To let them adjust to brighter light, place in a temporary shaded location for about a week.
If you planted seeds indoors, they need to be hardened off. This means giving seedlings a period of adjustment, before planting, to outdoor temperatures and light intensity. Set the pots or trays outside for gradually increasing hours each day. Bring in at night if the temperature gets below 40 degrees.
To protect honey bees, spray pesticides in the evening when bees are less active.
For a good selection, buy caladium bulbs now. Wait until soil temperatures are warm to plant (mid-May).
Plant vegetable plants in successive plantings to ensure a steady supply of produce rather than harvesting all at once.
Cover cucurbit crops with a floating row cover to keep out insects. Remove cover during bloom time.
To prevent cutworm damage, place a “collar” around the plant. Put strips of newspaper around the stem of the new plant. Place the collar just below ground level. Newspaper biodegrades nicely and is a cheap remedy.

Contact the Master Gardeners at the Tulsa County Extension for more information.

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Date Modified:Sunday, 25-Oct-2009 12:55:00 EDT

Friday, 03-Sep-2010 14:30:45 GMT