April gardening in Castle Rock has its highs and lows and yes I am talking about the weather. The calendar may say spring but Mother Nature can be a bit fickle. Sunny and 75° on Monday, 6" of snow on Wednesday. Don't let her chilly mood swings damper your desire to get outside! There is plenty to do this April to harvest those sweet, juicy, red ripe tomatoes this summer.
Spring cleaning.
- Clean up annual remnants.
- Cut back perennials.
- Pull emerging weeds.
- Clear away old mulch and debris.
- Add compost or manure to help warm soil and add nutrition.
Planting
- Plant leafy greens starts such as kale, lettuce, Swiss chard, spinach, and arugula in raised beds.
- Directly sow onions, potatoes, sugar snap peas and english peas.
- Plant cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts at the end of the month.
- Soak bare root roses for 24 hours before planting.
Lawn care
- Apply pre-emergent, fertilizer and weed control
- Sharpen blades, clean filters, check belts and perform other maintenance on yard machines and tools
The Old Farmers Almanac estimates our last frost date will be May 15th. Fingers crossed!
Gardening is more than a lifestyle to me, it is my passion. After 25 years in landscape design, I still spend every moment I can nurturing my garden, watching it grow and sharing in my harvest. Whether it is vegetables or flowers, I hope I will encourage everyone of you to get outside, enjoy the fresh air, and get your hands dirty. Let's grow together. Happy gardening! Debbie