You’ve survived the seemingly endless winter months and sunshine has returned. The soil has started to thaw and you are ready to start gardening again in all earnest. You find it more and more difficult to wait.
The truth is, however, that although in the South the spring is back in all its glory, in the North there are still days when it’s unpleasant to be outside. This means it can sometimes be confusing to know what to do in the garden in April, and when. To make sure everyone is completely sure of exactly what they should be doing in the garden this time of the year, we’ve divided our gardening tasks for April into regions and planting zones.
All Regions Of The United States
- Send a soil sample for testing to your local county extension. This is the best way to know if you need to add something to your soil, and if so, what.
- When they’ve stopped blooming, prune all the shrubs in the garden that bloom on old wood.
- Make sure to turn over the compost pile. This will speed up the breakdown process.
- April is the best time for old perennials to be divided.
- Now is also the time to plant your new perennials.
The Midwest Region
The weather in the Midwest can be both good and bad in April. This is what you should be doing on the good days:
- Finalize the spring cleaning in your flower beds.
- Prune grape vines and fruit trees.
- Divide perennials.
- Thin overcrowded crops.
- Once one can easily work the soil, plant vegetables such as spinach, kale, radishes, onions, kohlrabi, carrots, turnips, beets, peas, cabbage, broccoli, and potatoes.
- Plant hardened off eggplants, tomatoes, and pepper seedlings.
Mid-Atlantic
For the most part, spring will have started in all earnest here. Some days will, however, be nicer for gardening than others. This is what you should be doing on these days:
- Plant the last shrubs and trees. After April the risk of hot weather becomes too high.
- This is probably your last chance to prune rose bushes.
- Once the temperature at night remains above 55 degrees F consistently, it’s time to transplant hardy annuals.
Northeast Region
- After the risk of frost disappears, it’s time to start watering perennial strawberry beds. Also, uncover them.
- April is when the mulch should be pulled back from perennial beds.
- Plant fruit trees and berry bushes.
- Start indoor seeds for squash and tomatoes.
- Make a fence for the peas you planted to provide support.
- Plant radishes, spinach, swiss chard, kale, lettuce, carrots, beets, and peas.
- Plant asparagus crowns. Make sure they are in full sun.
- Divide perennials.
- Once you are able to easily work the soil, direct sow cool-season flowers, and vegetables.
The Pacific Northwest Region
This region has come climate variety from the interior to the coast, but in April temperatures will generally be moderate with a fair amount of rain.
- Wait for the soil to dry and then move transplants outside.
- Till your cover crops.
- Direct sow greens and lettuce seeds.
- Use the benefit of the wet soil if you have any perennials to divide.
Pacific Coast
In Northern California , one has many sunny days in April, plus low humidity, and less rain. It’s time for these tasks:
- Fertilize your perennials.
- Plant all your warm-season plants.
- Add mulch where and when needed.
In Southern California you should:
- Begin planting outdoors tropical plants.
- Plant the rest of your perennials.
- Add mulch wherever required.
Florida
Florida usually has between four and seven rainy days in April and the maximum temperature is typically in the 80s.
- Spray your citrus trees with Neem oil if you see signs of scale, aphids, or other pests.
- Transplant nut trees and fruit trees you grew in containers.
- Make sure plants get enough water during dry periods.
- Mulch around shrubs and trees wherever needed.
- Control mosquitoes and grasshoppers.
- After they’ve finished blooming, prune your flowering shrubs.
Hawaii
In April the weather starts getting hot here. Both plants and pests love this.
- Spray citrus trees with Neem oil.
- This is the best time to sow warm-season plant seeds.
Southwest
In the dry regions of the Southwest, April is when the hot days start, but there will continue to be frost at night. Non-hardy plants should, therefore, still be protected overnight.
- Start planting warm-season varieties.
- Start mulching as and when needed.
- April is also the time for perennials to be fertilized.
Southeast
In most parts of this region, April is a very nice time for gardening. There is enough rain, but not too much. And temperatures are generally moderate. Keep row covers in place for the occasional cold spell.
- When they’ve finished blooming, fertilize bulbs.
- In late April it’s time for the seedlings of warm-season plants to be transplanted outdoors.
- Directly sow warm-season vegetable seeds in late April.
- Do the last bit of rose bush pruning.
- Stake hollyhocks and other tall perennials so they won’t eventually flop over.
The Ohio Valley Region
Spring arrives somewhat earlier here than in the upper Midwest or the Northeast.
- Begin seeding warm-season vegetables outside.
- Begin to thin out the remaining of your cool-season vegetables.
- In the southern parts of this region, it’s time to shift transplants outside.
- With temperatures starting to rise, April is a good time to mulch all your remaining cool-season plants.
The Plains and Northern Rockies Region
Although this region is still fairly cold in April, there are a couple of gardening tasks that can be tackled in at this time of the year. The list includes:
- Add compost.
- Start planting cold-season vegetables such as spinach, onions and lettuces.
- Dig up the previous season’s root vegetables.
- Start growing warm-weather vegetables indoors.
