Suggested Gardening Tips for April

Second Quarter (April, May, June): In the Houston Area this is the heart of spring and the beginning of summer. Warming temperatures encourage rapid plant growth. Increased rainfall provides essential moisture. Flowers begin to bloom and gardens come to life.This is the time to start watching for garden pests and diseases. By address problems promptly prevents costly treatments later. I typically do not use chemical fertilizers but rely on compost, compost tea, and other organics. I rarely use chemicals for pest of disease issues. I use non-chemical options, or I get rid of the pest/disease prone plant.
April in Houston brings rapid growth and increased garden maintenance needs. Houston's temperatures rise significantly in April making efficient irrigation crucial.

• Lawns: Maintain regular mowing at the appropriate height. Mow St. Augustine to a height around ~2.5-3” and Bermuda to ~2-3”.
• Bulbs: Spring-blooming bulbs will finish blooming. Allow foliage to die back naturally. Begin to plant summer blooming bulbs.
• Annuals: Continue planting warm-season annuals. Provide support for vining or tall varieties. Begin regular fertilization.
• Perennials: Plant warm-season perennials. Divide and transplant perennials as needed. Provide support for tall-growing varieties.
• Roses: Continue regular fertilization. You can still plant roses - https://youtu.be/H4PASr4BMfw Monitor closely for pests and diseases. Rose Care -  https://youtu.be/9Sp2NN1Tvso
• Tropical Plants/Shrubs/Trees: Monitor for new growth and pests.
• Fruit Trees: Monitor fruit development. Thin fruit as needed. Monitor for pests and diseases.
• Palms: Increase watering. Check for any signs of disease or pests. Prune any dead fronds. Plant new palms.
• Fertilizer: Use balanced chemical or organic fertilizer (An Introduction to Compost Tea. https://youtu.be/j7tOPJrtmTU )  for annuals, perennials, shrubs, tropicals, and palms.
• Weed Control: Weeds thrive in April's warm moist conditions requiring the use of post-emergent herbicides and a pre emergent herbicides for the anticipated summer weeds, as needed.
• Pests: Insects start emerging. Aphids, caterpillars, spider mites,… Consider using natural pest control methods whenever possible.
• Diseases: Black spot, powdery mildew, fungal diseases,…
• Watering: Increasing with rising temperatures. Prioritize deep watering over frequent shallow watering.
• Suggestions for your Landscaping Crew: Continue to replenish the mulch. Ask the crew to monitor soil moisture levels - is a part of the garden getting “too much or too little” water? Suggest to the crew that they regularly check and adjust irrigation systems for optimal performance. Ensure sprinkler heads are directed correctly to avoid water waste. Overwatering is a common and costly mistake and can kill some plants and make other plants susceptible to diseases. Early detection of plant problems saves time and money on treatments. Ask the crew to regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation or disease.