APRIL GARDEN "TO DO" LIST
GENERAL GARDEN CARE
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Plant Cool Season annuals that can tolerate a light frost.
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Add 2-4 inches of compost to garden beds.
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Measure rainfall to assure 1 inch of water a week in garden.
TREES AND SHRUBS
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Plant trees and shrubs. Last Friday in April is National Arbor Day.
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Wait one year to fertilize new woody plantings.
ANNUAL AND PERENNIALS:
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Plant perennials, hardy grasses and roses.
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Divide mature summer and fall blooming perennials when they are 4-6 inches tall. Do not divide day lilies (September), oriental poppies (July) or iris (late July) at this time.
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Fertilize spring flowering bulbs with a 5-10-5 or 10-10-10 as new growth emerges.
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Stay on top of weeds.
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Begin uncovering roses. Top-dress with 6-2-0 organic slow release fertilizer.
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Later in the month begin to harden off warm season vegetables and flowers.
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Plant strawberries.
LAWN CARE
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Lawns can be treated with crab grass control in early to mid April before weeds germinate.
INDOOR GARDEN
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Continue to bring houseplants indoors until temps are consistently 50-60 degrees.
http://web.extension.illinois.edu/fmpt/downloads/72987.pdf