It seems as if we were just rolling out Colorado Gardening Tips for January last week, and here April is already upon us! The good news for everyone is that our extended lead-up to spring provides extra time for procrastinators to catch up on winter chores and launch right into our spring checklist.
So, without further ado, here is your checklist for April gardens.
Get your soil in shape. Finally, we get to plant! April is the month when the large majority of the frosts and freezes are behind us, and we can begin to plant with confidence. If you haven’t done so already, make sure to amend your soil so it contains just the right balance of airspace for aeration, hydration retention and microbes. You can hire the professionals at Lifescape Colorado to test your soil and make recommendations for healthy amending. And, of course, don’t forget to mulch!
Transplanting. Do you have some transplanting to do this season? Perhaps there’s a tree that needs to be relocated or a shrub with too many exposed roots? If so, this is the time to dig them up (take advantage of the moist and softened soil) and relocate them to their future home.
Bare root planting. Bare-root planting offers a way to save significant money on established plants, but you have to seize the planting window as it comes. That time is usually around mid- to late-April in Colorado. Examples of bare-root plants include fruit trees, roses, clematis, rhubarb, strawberries and asparagus. Pass up plants that have begun leafing out or have roots that appear dried up or rotten.
Get your lawn in shape. April is the month to core-aerate your lawn. Removing slugs of grass and dirt keeps roots from getting choked off, allowing them to get the air, water and nutrients they need. Apply an organic fertilizer to give your plants a growth boost. Consider turning to a professional landscape maintenance company to ensure you lawn remains vibrant all season.
Contact Lifescape Colorado for professional spring landscaping assistance.