April Garden Tips

• Roses should be pruned now. Cut hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses back by approximately 1/2, to outward pointing buds and remove any winter-killed wood. Prune deciduous summer-flowering shrubs such as hydrangea, spiraea and butterfly bush to encourage compact bushy growth and more flowers.
  
  
• Remove the spent flowers of spring flowering bulbs, but don’t cut back foliage until it starts to yellow. Extend the bloom time of pansies, primrose and other cool weather blooming plants, by removing faded flowers regularly.
  
  
• Cut back old foliage of perennials and ornamental grasses, if you haven’t done so already. Divide and replant if needed.
  
  
• Prepare your vegetable garden for the growing season ahead: spread organic material such as Bumper Crop or compost to a depth of two inches, then work into the soil, along with a complete fertilizer and lime, if necessary.
  
  
• Start a new lawn or overseed an existing one.
  
  
• Before you start, ask us about the best seed varieties or blends for the area you want to plant. Be aware that, throughout the season, your lawn will benefit from good cultural practices: mowing regularly with the blade set at the proper height, infrequent but deep watering and a regular fertilization program, will help keep your lawn healthy and weed free. See our article on lawn care.