April Lawn and Garden Tips 2021

APRIL CLIMATE IN NORTHEAST FLORIDA:
April Lawn and Garden Tips for Northeast, Florida communities in and around Jacksonville start with a focus on climate as this is the time of year when increasing numbers of gardeners head out to work in the garden and landscape as average high temperatures are 80F and average lows of 62. Jacksonville averages 12 days and 2″ of rainfall in April. And water restrictions loosen during Daylight Savings Time (Second Sunday in March to first Sunday in November) allowing twice per week residential landscape irrigation.

APRIL ANNUAL & PERENNIAL PLANTINGS:
April Lawn and Garden tips continue with a reminder that it is time to consider planting new annuals to replace those that died back in Winter and it’s time to plant your new choice of perennials. Carefully consider any changes you want to last years’ landscape design and if those annuals served you well, and if you want more of the same or something different. Are there new varieties of annuals and perennials available that would be better suited for your flower beds? Earth Works Landscape Design staff can assist you developing your landscape design.

April is the first full month of Spring resulting in area garden centers being stocked with the best selection and quantity of annuals of the entire year, including Agastache, Bacopa, Begonias, Cannas, Coleus, Dianthus, Gazanias, Lobelia, Marigolds, Petunias, Purslane, Salvia, Sunpatiens, Verbena, Vincas, and Zinnias.
Are the perennials in your landscape greening up and looking healthy? Do you have them on a fertilization and pruning schedule? Plants can look quite similar and have dramatically different needs. Educate yourself on what your specific plants require regarding soil, light, watering, fertilization, and pruning for optimum results. A few options for perennial plants available for planting in April include African Iris, Agapanthus, Aptenia, Aztec Grass, Blue Daze, Blue My Mind, Calendula, Cannas, Dune Sunflower, Gaillardia, Geraniums, Ice Plant, Jasmine, Kalanchoe, Lantana, Liriope, Milkweed, Mondo Grass, Pentas, Porterweed, Salvia, Sedum, and Verbena.

APRIL VEGETABLE & HERB GARDENING:
In April, when night temperatures stay above 50F is when you want to begin moving vegetables, and herbs seedling started indoors as seeds to your outdoor garden. As with early April 2021, we had some temperatures in the low forty-degree range that could harm those seedlings that so much effort and care were invested in. So be careful and watch the weather trends for your area before and after transplanting your seedlings outdoors.

Vegetables appropriate for planting in April include Bell Peppers, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collard Greens, Cucumbers, Eggplant, Mustard, Okra, Onions, Peas, Sweet potatoes, Squash, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, and Watermelon.
Herbs appropriate for planting in April include Basil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fennel, Lemon balm, Oregano, Parsley, Peppermint, and Thyme. Visit Earth Works online shop for a wide selection of plants, soil amendments, and more!

APRIL PRUNING:
Whenever pruning, use clean tools to avoid cross-contamination of pests and pathogens from one plant to another. April is the time to wrap up pruning on shrubs that bloom on new growth such as most roses and prune your old-growth bloomers like azaleas shortly after they bloom. These are generalizations, though, as some plants such as hydrangeas bloom on old or new growth depending on variety. In general, prune both deciduous and evergreen shrubs within the late Winter and early Spring seasons.
Become familiar with your plants’ bloom cycle and whether the blooms occur on new or old growth to determine when best to prune for the optimum amount of flowers during their seasonal blooms.

APRIL LAWN CARE:
First of all, having a soil sample analysis done provides a baseline of information for what your lawn and garden need for healthy growth and blooms. If, for instance, the analysis shows the yard has adequate amounts of phosphorus, adding more is not only unnecessary but as a constituent of stormwater runoff result in algae blooms and fish kills. The proper fertilization timing is likewise essential as nutrients, including potassium and iron, aren’t bioavailable for grass uptake until the soil is warm. Once the ground warms and turfgrass roots awaken from dormancy various fertilizer formulas allow the uptake of nutrients and benefit a healthy growth cycle.

APRIL LAWN & GARDEN PEST & PATHOGEN CONTROL:
Regularly inspect your lawn and garden in April for harmful insects such as aphids, citrus leaf-miner, chinch bugs, mealybugs, and other pests that can quickly devastate an otherwise healthy landscape. April showers bring fungus and mildew. So be on the lookout for powdery mildew, black spot, and sooty mold.
Good cultural practices involving clean pruning shears and other lawn care tools and appropriate watering and fertilization contribute to protecting your lawn and garden against pests and pathogens. And remember that not all insects are harmful. Ladybugs, lacewings, praying mantis, and many other insects provide pest control benefits to your lawn and garden, but to nurture them requires care in the types and application of commonly used pesticides. For help with identifying appropriate organic pesticides contact or visit our garden center and for lawn care, fertilization, and lawn pest control contact our lawn care department for a free quote.

And remember that for comprehensive solutions to your specific lawn, garden and landscaping needs contact Earth Works of Jacksonville online and at 904-996-0712. Earth Works operates a retail Garden Center/Plant Nursery in Jacksonville and provides landscaping, hardscaping, water features, lawn care service, lawn spraying, and drainage solutions.
Earth Works proudly serves clients in Northeast Florida, including Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra Beach, Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Nocatee, St. Johns, Fleming Island, Orange Park, Middleburg, Green Cove Springs, Amelia Island, Fernandina, and St. Augustine.

 

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