How Does Your Garden Grow – April "Things To Do Check List"

Prepared by DeKalb County Master Gardeners

• Plant small transplants of cool-season annuals and vegetables as weather permits.
• Spray peonies when they are a few inches high with an approved fungicide if botrytis blight or bud blast were problems last year.
• Plant perennials, grasses, and roses as weather and soil conditions permit.
• Fertilize spring flowering bulbs with a granular 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 mix as new growth emerges or after they flower. Remove spent flowers but allow foliage to wither completely before removing.
• Uncover and prune roses when forsythia begins to bloom. Carefully remove mulch or compost used to mound the roses. Avoid using sharp tools. Topdress soil with 6-2-0. organic slow-release fertilizer.
• If apple scab was a problem last year with crab apple or apple trees, start spraying with an approved fungicide when leaf buds swell and open. Spray routine will last until two weeks after petal drop. Wet weather aggravates this problem.
• Continue to bring houseplants inside at night but keep outside during the days. Most houseplants can remain outside when the night temperature are consistently 40 – 50 degrees or more. When in doubt, wait until mid-May before placing houseplants permanently in the garden.
• If weeds were a problem last year, spread a pre-emergent weed control over the lawn as weather and temperatures permit. Alternatively, consider handpulling weeds or spot-treating them after they emerge with a post emergent weed control. Serious infestations often require several treatments to control the problem.
• Crabgrass control can be spread on lawns in early to mid-April before weeds germinate. For severe problems, a second application might be necessary in early June.
• Continue to sow seeds indoors for warm season vegetables and summer blooming annuals. Most seeds take six to eight weeks from germination to transplanting outdoors.
• Fertilize fruit trees and brambles. If growing fruit trees for their fruit yields, begin spray program for Insects and disease.

If you have questions or comments about this article, home gardening or about the Master Gardener program, please call the Master Gardeners c/o University of Illinois Extension, DeKalb County office at 815-758-8194 or email dekalb_mg@extension.uiuc.edu .