April garden chores updated for 2025
“ Oh , the lovely fickleness of an April daylight , ” wrote natural scientist William H. Gibson a long time ago . And , April certainly is quicksilver . In past days , we ’ve been lovesome on April Fool ’s Clarence Shepard Day Jr. , but this past week has assure rain , sleet , freezing rainwater , snowfall and anything in between descent . Yesterday , a the wind gelidity felt doing even a straightaway errand made it clear that March was blowing out like a king of beasts .
So what are the April garden chores northern gardeners should do?
1.Watch the weather!April is fickle , and we can have blizzards or dateless sunny days . Your perennials and unfearing springtime bulbs do not need excess protection — they can take whatever nature hands out — but any early annuals you may put out later this month will ask a back or a quick trip indoors if the temps drop . The same go for any cool season vegetables you may have put out . Hoop house , cold framesand other protection are a unspoilt idea for vegetables that are position out in April .
2.Start come . It ’s easy and fun tostart sow indoors — a great way to save money on plants and sooth your horticulture urge . If you are a first - time seed starter , lettuce germinates quickly and works can be put out in the garden as soon as thesoil temperaturehits 50 degree . If you do n’t want to place up lights for indoor germ part , you’re able to do it in a sunny window .
4.Lawn care . TheUniversity of Minnesota recommendsapplying preemergent crab skunk control in mid - April , if you take to do that . Fertilizing is only needed in August . Please do not mow your grass until late April at the other . permit it green up and the background firm up before mop .
Starting seeds indoors or in a protected area like this greenhouse is a great April chore.
5.Divide perennials . afterward in April , as perennials initiate to emerge , it ’s a upright fourth dimension to divide those that need it . In spring , dissever only late summertime and twilight flub , such as hostas . watershed fountain and early summertime bloomers in fall . On Hosta and other perennials that grow from the inside out , bet for the telltale doughnut to indicateit ’s time to divide .
6.Plant lily electric light . think back those hardy lily bulb you purchase at theMinneapolis Home and Garden Show from MSHS ? Once the icing is out of the undercoat , you’re able to implant them . Add a light-colored dressing of compost or some all role fertilizer to the mess . Sometimes it ’s fun to put lilies in container and then move them around the garden wherever coloration is needed . Hold off on planting Dahlia pinnata , canna lily and other tropic plants until the weather condition is fully warmed up .
7.Put out a pansy bowl . Many of ourgarden centersare offering no - touch pick up of annuals and other give garden supplies . It ’s light to place online and then pick up your order . Plus , nothing raises spirits like a pretty bowling ball of flowers now .
When you see the distinctive donut shape on a hosta, it’s time to divide.
8.Turn your compost . Whenthe compost pilethaws out , give it a routine and gather the expert compost to spread out on plant bottom and in the vegetable garden . Do n’t spread any mulch yet — get the solid ground warm up fully before adding mulch .
What are your must - do April chores ?
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Spring means pansies and violas! Many nurseries are offering pansy bowls with no-touch pickup.
