Things to do in April
Fertilize:
Tomatoes and peppers should be fed with a liquid fertilizer. Feed crape myrtle beneath the branch spread with 1/3 cup complete fertilizer per sq. yd. After second mowing, fertilize lawn with 3-1-2 ratio product; aerate first, if needed. Fertilize all houseplants with complete fertilizer.
Mulch trees, shrubs, vegetable garden and flower beds (after soil has warmed) with 2-4 inches of mulch. Pine needles and oak leaves make a good mulch for acid-loving plants. Spread coffee grounds around azaleas and other acid-loving plants.
Water:
Water as needed.
Transplant:
Divide and transplant late summer-and fall-flowering bulbs. Container-grown plants (almost any kind) can go into the ground now. Plant summer annuals to get their root systems established before the extreme heat arrives.
Lawn Care:
Plant grass sod or plugs. Water daily for one or two weeks to establish. Begin regular lawn care. Mow every 5-7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn. Keep St. Augustine grass at 2-1/2 to 3 inches.
Things to plant in April
Flower Plants:
- Ageratum
- Ajuga
- Joseph’s Coat (Amaranthus)
- Balsam
- Wax Begonia
- Blue Daze
- Blue Cardinal Flower
- Boltonia
- Scarlet Bouvardia
- Calico Plant
- Chocolate Plant
- Cigar Plant (Cuphea Ignea)
- Cockscomb
- Coleus
- Columbine
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Copper Plant
- Coreopsis
- Cosmos sulphureus
- Dahlia
- Shasta Daisy
- Feverfew
- Geranium
- Gomphrena
- Hibiscus
- Hollyhock
- Impatiens
- Jacobinia
- Lantana
- Marigold (African, French and Mexican Mint)
- Nierembergia
- Penta
- Periwinkle
- Persian Shield
- Plumbago
- Phlox drummondii
- Portulaca
- Purslane
- Rudbeckia hirta
- Salvia
- Sedum
- Stokes’ Aster
- Sunflower (Helianthus)
- Wishbone Flower (Torenia)
- Yarrow
- Zinnia
Flower Seeds:
- Ageratum
- Balsam
- Castor Bean
- Celosia
- Cleome
- Cockscomb
- Coleus
- Coral Vine
- Cosmos
- Cypress Vine
- Dahlia (Dwarf)
- Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Feverfew
- Four-o’clock
- Globe Amaranth
- Gourd
- Impatiens
- Linaria
- Nasturtium
- Marigold
- Moonflower
- Morning Glory
- Periwinkle
- Petunia
- Pinks
- Portulaca
- Scabiosa
- Sunflower
- Sweet Pea (Perennial)
- Tithonia
- Torenia
- Vinca
- Zinnia
Bulbs:
- Achimenes
- Acidanthera
- Allium
- Alstroemeria
- Amarcrinum
- Amaryllis
- Ground Orchid (Bletilla)
- Caladium
- Calla
- Canna
- Crinum
- Dahlia
- Daylily
- Dietes
- Ginger
- Gladiolus
- Gloriosa Daisy
- Hosta
- Spider Lily (Hymerocallis)
- Hypoxis
- Liriope
- Monkey Grass
- Rain Lily
- Society Garlic
- Tigridia
Vegetables:
- Early—Mid Month: Pepper, Radish, Squash, Tomato
- ALL Month: Amaranth, Bean, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant, Muskmelon, Okra, Peanuts, Pumpkin, Southern Pea, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Watermelon
Herbs:
- Anise
- Star Anise
- Basil
- Bay
- Borage
- Bouncing Bet
- Caraway
- Catnip
- Chives
- Comfrey
- Costmary
- Cumin
- Fennel
- Fenugreek
- Scented Geranium
- Germander
- Horehound
- Horseradish
- Lamb’s Ear
- Lavender
- Lemon Grass
- Lemon Verbena
- Mexican Mint Marigold (a great substitute for French Tarragon)
- Monarda
- Oregano
- Perilla
- Rosemary
- Sage
- Santolina
- Summer Savory
- Winter Savory
- Sesame
- Sorrel
- Southernwood
- Tansy
- Tarragon
- Thyme
- Common Wormwood
- Roman Wormwood
- Yarrow
Fruit:
- Bare root or container grown Pecans
- Fruit trees
- Grapes
- Berry bushes
Courtesy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, copyright 2000-2002. |