What’s In Bloom in April

Maintenance Tips In April

Fertilizing needs this month:

Around mid-April, you may begin to notice your lawn coming out of dormancy for the spring season.  While temperatures are beginning to stay consistently higher, it is still very important to be sure that your lawn is completely out of dormancy before beginning to start planning your first lawn fertilization of the season. Warm-season grasses like bermuda, zoysia, st. augustine, and centipedegrass highly benefit from fertilization after dormancy to help strengthen the root systems of your lawn, giving it the best chance to stay lush and green all Summer long. 

When it is time for your first fertilization of the season, be sure to always conduct a soil test of your lawn before fertilizing to make sure you are feeding your lawn with the proper nutrients for your lawn’s specific needs. 

Spring blooming shrubs like azaleas, as well as vegetable garden crops like tomatoes and peppers, can benefit from a fertilizer feeding this April. 

Pruning needs this month:

As we move through the month of April, you may notice some of your spring blooming trees and shrubs like azaleas, camellias, loropetalum, dogwoods, and forsythia. Once all of their spring blooms have completely faded, it’s time to prune! 

If needed, you can also lightly prune some of your evergreen hedges, like boxwoods and junipers, to maintain your desired shape and size. 

Pests and diseases to look out for in April:

As we move into the Spring season this April, here are some garden pests and diseases to keep an eye out for, and where you are most likely to find them:

• Aphids – attacks new growth on roses, crape myrtles, and vegetable crops
• Cutworms – attacks flower stems 
• Spider mites – attacks vegetable crops, flowers, and ornamental grasses 
• Army worms – attacks cabbage and broccoli
• Scale – attacks trees and shrubs, such as various types of oaks