Belle Mead Farmers Co-Op

GARDENING TIPS FOR APRIL

(908) 359 - 5173

  • Rake back winter mulch and leaves from rose Over-crowded perennials can be divided now.
  • Pre-emergent weed controls (such as Preen) can be applied to flower and shrub beds.
  • Finish pruning fruit trees.
  • Pre-emergent crabgrass control should be applied when the forsythias are in full bloom.
  • Broadleaf weed control should be applied when weeds are actively growing (later in the month).
  • Cover crops in the vegetable garden can be turned under now.
  • Its time to plant: peas, onions, potatoes, lettuce, spinach and other leafy greens.
  • Seeds of carrots, beets, turnips, radishes, parsley and chives can be sowed directly into the garden.
  • There is still time to plant cole crops, rhubarb and asparagus.
  • Start seeds of watermelon, cantaloupe and cucumber indoors under lights.
  •                      April is for planting!
  • Its the best time to plant fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, strawberry plants, roses, perennials and ground covers.
  • Direct seed sweet peas, bachelor buttons, larkspur and other cool loving flowers where you want them to grow.
  • Fertilize perennials and evergreens.
  • Re-seed bare spots in the lawn.
  • Start tuberous begonias indoors in pots.
  • They will be set outdoors later in the spring when danger of frost has passed.
  • The frost date for our area is May 15 Begin a routine of inspecting your landscape plants for pests every two weeks.
  • Look now for woolly adelgid on hemlocks, gypsy moth egg masses on trees, spider mites on evergreens, and spruce galls on spruce.
  • Two weeks before planting warm the soil by covering the area with black plastic.
  • The seedlings can then be planted through a hole in the plastic.
  • A mini hothouse needs to go around each plant such as a hot-cap or Wallo’Water until the threat of all frost is passed.