April Garden Chores

 

Things You Should Do In April

The month we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived! April sure is one of the most anticipated months for gardeners – it brings a lot of excitement, but also a lot of chores. You’re gonna be super busy but with a little planning and luck with the weather, you should be able to catch up with all your gardening work. Below is a handy list of general chores for your April spring garden.

Clean Up Winter Garden Debris 
First things first: clear away branches, leaves, twigs and any other debris that have built up during winter. Whatever can be composted should be added to your pile, while the rest can go. You want your property to make way for the new spring garden.

Deal with the Weeds
Weeding is never fun but it’s best to address them early on before they set seed and take over your garden. Pull them out regularly or make use of ground covers or mulch to keep them from growing.

Be Patient
Sounds tough but you must wait for drier soil conditions first, otherwise you’ll risk soil compaction and have a hard time growing your garden plants. As soon as the soil crumbles, you can begin replenishing its nutrients by mixing in some organic compost and other necessary amendments.

Get Your Soil Tested
Contact the nearest County Extension Office and send them a soil sample. This will help you learn about your soil’s current state and what amendments you might need to get.

Give Your Compost Pile a Good Turn
Turning helps distribute moisture in your pile more evenly, and encourages a faster breakdown.

Eliminate Pests Naturally
Culprits such as aphids, Japanese beetles, slugs and snails might still be lurking in your garden. Opt for more natural pest control methods – homemade sprays work great without harming the environment, and companion planting can further repel any unwanted pests.

Start Planting!
Once the weather permits, you can begin growing your favorite cool weather veggies like chard, kale, lettuce and spinach. Any seeds that were started indoors can now be transplanted, while certain veggies like carrots and peas can be directly sown. If you skipped on seed starting this year, local nurseries are always a wonderful place to get some vegetable starts.