April 2021 Gardening Tips

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What to SHOP for . . .

• Plants for attracting Butterflies - Zinnias (especially red and orange),  deep blue flowers of Anchusa azurea 'Alkanet', Dahlias., Spiraea japonica 'Anthony Waterer',  Bidens 'Goldilocks'  
• Annuals- Delphiniums, Zinnias (Profusion or Zahara Series), Lobelia, Larkspur.
• Perennials- Yarrow, Gazania, Nemesia, Cerastium tomentosum, Silene dioica 'Clifford Moor', Laelia anceps, Veronica, Geum.
• Shrubs- Physocarpus opulifolius 'Summer Wine', Abutilon 'Apollo', Abelia 'Kaleidoscope', Viburnums, Loropetalum.
• Veggies- Tomatoes (If your microclimate is cold, buy tomato plants in April while selection is good and keep them inside on frosty nights. Plant outside after danger of frost has passed). Potato tubers, Carrots, Beets, Corn (later part of month).
• Extras - Yellow Sticky Traps, Insecticidal Soap, Twine for guiding vines. Neem Oil Concentrate.

Tasks To Do

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• Weeding- The most important task in the garden this month is weeding. Pull weeds before they go to seed. Learn how to manage weeds in the garden: Watch The Gardening Tutor Video Weeds-How They Grow and How to Mange Them.
• Dig- Remove plants you no longer want in your design while the soil is still easily worked from spring rain.  Prepare soil in garden beds before shopping for plants. This makes gardening less of a chore and assures that those beautiful babies get planted right away.
• Pest Management- If you plan to plant Petunias in your garden and your Petunias have had Petunia bud worms in the past, buy your Bacillus thuringiensis (called Bt) now so you can spray Before the bud worms arrive. These voracious caterpillars can devour all your Petunia flowers overnight! The Bt is sprayed on the plant so that when the caterpillars eat the plant parts, they die. Bt is approved for organic use. Aphids can be managed by a strong spray of water to knock them off your plants. Spray aphids off in the morning for several days until you no longer see them. If you don't have time for the water spray, use insecticidal soap. The soap needs to land on the insects to kill them.
• Pruning - Continue to deadhead Iceland Poppies and Pansies for spectacular spring display before you pull them all out and plant your summer annuals near the end of the month! Fuchsias pinch the tips from every stem when the stem has about 3 sets of leaves. Repeat the pinching a couple of times as the fuchsias grow in then stop the pinching to allow the plant to become full. Pinching the tips meaning more flowers later! If your Erigeron plants are bigger than you want them to be already you can still shear them now. You will delay the first bloom of the year but create a tidier plant. Watch:The Gardening Tutor's video on How to Shear Plants to Encourage More Flowers.
• Containers - April is a good time to replace potting medium or soil.  Need a little Container Gardening Inspiration? Watch The Gardening Tutor's video slide show: Container Gardening Tips  
• When you're ready to learn how to care for your plants  Contact The Gardening Tutor