Gardening Guides
Northeast Gardener's April Checklist
Revel in the wonders of spring by babying bulbs, sprinkling seeds for root crops and setting out some nibbles for the birds
Springtime delights abound: Red-winged blackbirds call from the wetlands as they begin their nesting rituals; spring peepers punctuate the evening from the woodlands behind our home; and wondrous ephemerals like wood lily (Trillium spp) and trout lily sprout among the early green shoots of the forest floor. Purple trillium (Trillium erectum), also called wake robin, makes its appearance at the base of an old maple in the backyard and is always a delight to find as I survey the shade gardens.
Because the ground is still soggy, I wear protective mud boots as I make my rounds. And as much as I'd like to wear a T-shirt and shorts, layering is still necessary. So I'm usually clad in fleece, wool, down or water-resistant nylon, with a hat and gloves.
Because the ground is still soggy, I wear protective mud boots as I make my rounds. And as much as I'd like to wear a T-shirt and shorts, layering is still necessary. So I'm usually clad in fleece, wool, down or water-resistant nylon, with a hat and gloves.
Clear debris from around clumps of bulbs. Tiny grape hyacinth (Muscari spp) will appear this month. Watch for its flower tips at ground level and gently pull away twigs and large leaves from basal growth early, before the stem pushes out of the ground. A small hand rake is good for this job.
Mark the locations of spring ephemerals. It happens to the best of us — we forget where we planted daffodils and other spring-blooming bulbs in the fall and don't keep records of what we put in. Stay organized and make a master spreadsheet using what labels you have lying around; update it regularly every time you plant something new. Include the location (for instance, entry garden walk) in your records and then mark the spot with a plant label.
Make containers fun. April marks the official start of garden center madness. You'll still battle the crowds (especially at big-box stores), but look for unusual perennials with texture and great foliage color to add to containers, like Sedum rupestre 'Angelina', a low-growing chartreuse sedum, or the aptly named 'Dark Chocolate' coral bell (Heuchera 'Dark Chocolate', zones 3 to 9), which is delicious paired with trailing silver licorice plant (Helichrysum petiolare).
Direct sow carrots and other root crops. With soil temperatures above 50 degrees, you can sow seeds for cold-hardy edibles like carrots, beets, kale, spinach, chard and arugula for an early-summer harvest. Carrots are especially versatile and come in some crazy colors, like 'Purple Dragon', an heirloom that has an unusual purple exterior with a yellow core.
Transplant cold-hardy edibles. If you don't grow your own lettuce under lights or in a greenhouse, you can buy cell packs at garden centers this month. Ready your soil by lightly tilling and removing weeds; top-dress beds with a fresh layer of compost before planting. Look for interesting lettuces with red-tipped or burgundy leaves, like 'Red Oak Leaf' or 'Merlot', which can also be direct seeded for an extended crop.
Paper Pot Maker
Start seeds indoors. The great advantage of growing your own plants from seed is the enormous selection from which to choose. Celebrate Earth Day on April 22 with your kids or friends by making your own eco pots out of recycled newspaper. They're more attractive than an egg carton or empty yogurt container, and the paper will decompose easily once the pots are tucked into the garden.
Add more spring-blooming trees. One of my favorite native trees for the northeast is Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis). The unusual magenta buds open directly on branches before the leaves emerge at this time of year, and the leaves are heart shaped (cordate). Grow this small tree in full sun as a focal point, in an open setting or along the edge of a woodland for visual interest in early spring.
Welcome birds. Migrating birds make their appearance this month; welcome them with a bird-friendly garden that includes food and shelter for raising young. Put up a birdhouse and plan to offer a supply of water using shallow saucers or birdbaths, then watch for the arrival of goldfinch, purple finch, Carolina wren and warblers.
More regional garden guides
More regional garden guides
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