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 pyrachanta 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