By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master GardenerSM volunteer of Durham County
April, the one month that might possibly be crazier than March. Not only do we get wicked wild weather swings, but there is so much to do outside this month. Oh, the stress of it all. As I write this, there has been less than 3.5 inches of rain in my gauge. Not nearly enough to build up an adequate supply of soil moisture to withstand the onslaught of summer. That does not bode well for those of us addicted to growing green things. Let us hope that the proverbial April showers actually become a reality this year.
The forsythia (F. intermedia) along with the grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are early harbingers of spring (Image credit: Hope Duckworth CC by 4.0)
The Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) is showing the promise of things to come. There are rosettes galore of various descriptions awaiting warm sunny days and tolerable nights to rouse them from their winter torpor. The forsythia (F. intermedia) along with the grape hyacinths (Muscari armeniacum) are the most dependable harbingers of spring here. The back yard (a veritable forest) has six redbuds (Cercis canadensis) in various states of bloom and one forlorn apple (Malus x Golden Delicious) that was probably planted before its neighbor, a 30” caliper willow oak (Quercus phellos), became a fully opened umbrella.
The nature highlight of this week was a Cooper’s Hawk (Accipiter cooperii) (Bet you didn’t think I’d have knowledge beyond the plant kingdom.) in the far back yard dining on mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) tartare. He was a magnificent bird (the hawk, who is) and I only wished I could have gotten close enough to take a selfie (or at least his portrait). What has been exciting in your garden lately? Let’s go out and see!!
Lawn Care
It is time to fertilize warm season grasses (Bermuda & zoysia—not centipede yet. Stay tuned.) with a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer. Cool season grass lovers (fescue, bluegrass, perennial rye) can still put out a similar fertilizer if you didn’t do it in March. NOW is the time to apply preemergent herbicide for weed and crabgrass (also a weed) control. Earlier in the month is better than later and definitely before the dogwoods (Cornus sps.) bloom.
Fertilizing
Any shrubbery that didn’t get done in March can still benefit from an application of a balanced fertilizer (10-10-10 or equivalent). With luck, Mother Nature will water it in for you.
Planting
To get an early start on planting, you might want to try soil blocks. Marcia Kirinus described this technique in an previous blog post published in 2024. (Image credit: Allie Mullen)
Look, let’s be real. Planting anything other than root crops and salad greens in April in the piedmont of North Carolina is a crap shoot. However, for the optimists and seriously addicted veggie gardeners you can plant seeds of cucurbits (squashes, melons, cucumbers) and corn. Just be ready to cover them if Mother Nature takes a notion to frost them. By the end of the month, it should be safe to plant beans and okra. It should be safe to plant tomatoes and peppers by then, also. If you have room, please plant enough to share with those who may not have ready access to fresh produce. Everyone needs a healthy diet. Warm season grasses may be plugged/sprigged or sodded this month. Only bermudagrass can be seeded and the process is ponderous. For all things grass in North Carolina check out the NCSU Turffiles website at (www.turffiles.ncsu.edu). There is way more information there than I could put in this here li’l ole blog post.
Spraying
If you haven’t broken out the spray equipment yet, here’s your chance. Wreak havoc on azalea lace bugs, boxwood leaf miners, euonymus and tea scales, and spider mites.
Left to right: Azalea lace bugs, boxwood leafminer, and spider mites (on roses) are common pests in the home landscape. (Image credit: NC State Extension)
Try organic products first. The next weapon in the arsenal is horticultural oil. The nuclear option (full blown toxic stuff) should be your last resort. Please avoid neonicotinoides. They are heavy duty toxic and are a major contributor to the decline of many beneficial insects. You should decline to participate in the slaughter. ALWAYS read and follow the instructions on the label. Be sure the pest you are trying to control is listed there, too. Spray iris beds for borers.
Treat cruciferous veggies (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, etc.) for worms if you see them. Spray squash plants weekly from now until June for squash vine borers. It is only necessary to spray the stem near the base. Spray apple and pear trees with streptomycin to control fire blight. Spray once at bud break and again at full bloom. Too much rain may necessitate a third application. Begin the weekly spray program for fruit trees as soon as the petals have fallen. Commence (as if you ever stopped) your rose spray program (which will continue as long as you insist on growing tea roses).
OTHER STUFF THAT WILL KEEP YOU OUTSIDE WHERE YOU CAN IGNORE THE DUST AND DIRTY LAUNDRY. (They’re not important anyway…well, maybe some laundry.)
It is almost time to head to the locally owned garden center or nursery to pick out the plants for this year’s annual display. Who can resist a pot of evolvulus, or the latest petunia, or maybe it’s the year for vinca (after which, it will always be the year for vinca)? Get creative with your pots. There’s merit in the “a thriller, a filler, and a spiller” axiom. Mulch is your friend. She helps hold in soil moisture, keeps roots cool, works on weed suppression and looks damn good doing it. There isn’t really a downside. What I postulated in the first sentence of this epistle does not negate the opinion that April is tied with October for the second best month of the year. (Come on. Nothing beats May.) You have to be flexible as the weather may change hourly, but it is worth the effort. You may well be rewarded in the next hour. Besides, we get the Final Four x 2 and BASEBALL season opens.
The demonstration garden at 921 Foster Street is coming alive with blooming bulbs and early perennials and annuals! (Image credit: Allie Mullen)
AWESOME APRIL, Y’all!
Resource and Additional Information
NC State Cooperative Extension has a series of handouts and publications about insects that are a problems for specific plants such as azaleas, roses, boxwoods, rhododendron, gardenias and many more. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/search_results?q=spring+gardening&collection=insect-and-related-pests-of-shrubs
Looking for a calendar on vegetable gardening in Central North Carolina? https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/central-north-carolina-planting-calendar-for-annual-vegetables-fruits-and-herbs
The NC Turf Files provides information on winter and summer grasses including potential problems and a calendar for treatment and fertilization. https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/catalog/series/240/
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