Gardening Tasks for April

Video by Michaela Parker and Jonah Holland 

Everyone’s normal routine is being flipped upside down. Employees are working from home, kids are out of school, and social gatherings are postponed. Boredom and stress are setting in. Gardening to the rescue! Gardening is a great activity to take advantage of. It’s hands-on, fun, and you get to enjoy some fresh air! If you’re looking for a few ways to incorporate gardening into your new stay-at-home lifestyle, check out the latest Southern Gardening column. 

Whether you’re new to gardening or a seasoned pro, you’ll find certain times of year require certain tasks. As you’re out and about in your garden, here are the four main things you need to accomplish in April.

1. If you have any bulb-type perennials, such as iris, daylily, violet, shasta daisy, sjuga, or liriope, you want to divide, now is a great time to do so! If you’re not sure how to properly divide perennials, be sure to check out our blog post for simple instructions. If you have an excess amount of a certain flower, share some with your family or friends! It’s a great way to cheer people up in these uncertain times. You can leave it on their front porch or ask them to drop by and pick it up from a designated area outside your house. 
2. Apply a layer of mulch to your landscape beds.You may not even have to go to the store to get mulch. Some gardening centers and stores will deliver. Extension Publication 2301, “Mulches for your Landscape,” is also a great resource! 
3. If you plant vegetable gardens each year, this is the best month to plant your summer vegetables. Wait until after the last frost before you start planting. If you’re new to gardening, Extension Publication 1090, “Garden Tabloid,” is a good place to start! 
4. As you are planting your vegetables, be sure to fertilize! You can call your county agent to ask for their advice and recommendations. 

Always remember, gardening is not cancelled!