What to do in April

Fertilizing

  • Fertilize azaleas after they bloom

  • Fertilize annuals, shrubs, and trees that were not fertilized in the fall

Planting

  • Plant summer bulbs

  • The average last spring frost date in Durham County is April 13, +/- 11 days.  After last frost, plant herbs and warm-season vegetables.

  • The following warm-weather vegetable can be planted this month:  green beans, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet potatoes, melons, swiss chard, beets, cantaloupe, and corn.

  • Replace cool-season annuals, such as pansies with summer annuals.

  • Plant perennial seeds, such as hollyhock, coreopsis, daisy, phlox and Sweet William.

  • Plant small fruit plants, such as strawberry, blueberry and blackberry.

Pruning

  • Cut back butterfly bushes to approximately 30”

  • Cut back ornamental grasses close to the ground

  • Prune azaleas after they bloom

  • Pinch chrysanthemums to promote later bloom

Spraying

  • Spray insect oil on fruit trees

  • Check azaleas, rhododendron and pyracantha for lace bugs.  Treat with an insecticide if necessary.

  • Spray roses before buds open.

  • Begin spraying to control poison ivy, honeysuckle and kudzu with a recommended herbicide.

Lawn Care

  • Start mowing tall fescue to three inches

  • Begin irrigation

  • Fertilize warm-season grasses

  • Do not fertilize cool-season grasses, such as tall fescue, Kentucky blue grass and fine fescue now.

  • Mow your warm-season grasses at the correct height.  Bermuda and zoysia at 1 inch and St. Augustine at 2-3 inches.

Propagation

  • Divide perennials such as daylilies and hostas

Specific Chores

  • Perform mower maintenance

  • Re-mulch beds

  • Clean out water gardens