April showers bring..... wet, muddy soil!!
What to do in the garden this month:
- Stroll through your yard, noting any insect damage, egg masses, broken or damaged branches on your plants.
- Shear back ornamental grasses and clear your gardens of any debris.
- Turn your compost pile.
- Clean and oil your garden tools. Use a wire brush to clean off any loose soil and use a metal file to sharpen your shovels, hoes and trowels. If you have been trained, use a stone to sharpen your pruners. If not, contact Agway and schedule a sharpening. Don't forget to oil your wooden handles to avoid splinters later in the season.
- Mid April generally is time to direct sow cool season plants such as beets, arugula, carrots, spinach and lettuce. Record your planting date(s) in your garden journal.
- Early April is not too late to start your warm weather veggies indoors. There are approximately 8 weeks until our traditional first frost date. Tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, parsley - start them now if you already have not.
- Check your deer fences and critter barriers. Make any necessary repairs or fortifications. If you have tulips poking up, have your deer repellent ready: the battle against the hoofed rats has begun!
- Contact your gardening friends to see who is planting what. Exchange extra seeds. If you planted extra flats of seeds and know you will have more than you can use, find good homes for them. Feel the excitement of a new gardening season beginning!
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