Talking Plants

Jillian Patrie | University of Minnesota Yard and Garden Extension

April brings the emergence of new growth, activity of insects, warm temperatures and spring cleanup around the home and yard. Here are a few spring yard and garden items to check off your April to do list.
Late spring and early fall are good times to fix bare patches in lawns, cooler temperatures are ideal for germinating new lawn seed. Lawns have not seen the usual snow cover this winter, as a result we may not see damage caused by snow mold, voles, or salt. Temperatures between 55-65 degrees F are ideal for new lawn growth, be mindful of forecasted nighttime lows. Pre-emergent applications to control crabgrass or weed seed germination should be done mid-April to mid-May. Do not apply a pre-emergent to newly seeded lawns or gardens (pre-emergent prevents seeds from germinating). Hold off on fertilizing lawns until May when lawn growth begins to take off.
Pruning and perennial bed cleanup can begin in April, depending on snow cover. Removing spent above ground plant debris from perennial plants is easiest to do when new growth is just emerging. Many insects overwinter in plant debris so waiting until temperatures rise and are more consistent is best. While removing leaves or other plant debris you may notice growth has started already! Pruning shrubs with winter damage can be done at this time of year too.
Prepping garden spaces can help curb garden fever while we wait for ideal planting temperatures. Cleaning out dead plant material, fixing fences and tilling up garden soil are great things to do during the month of April. Once the frost has left the ground and the soil is workable, till in compost or new garden soil.
Start bringing seedlings outside during the warmer days of mid to late April and begin acclimating them to their environment. Remember to watch the weather when hardening off seedlings, extreme wind, sun exposure and cold temperatures can set them back. Spring blooming annuals like pansies and violas can tolerate cooler temperatures adding a pop of color to your outdoor space while we wait for warmer temperatures to arrive.
Spring is perfect for planting and transplanting trees, shrubs, and perennials. Cooler temperatures cause less stress on newly planted or divided plants and allow for better root growth.
Remember that perennial plants wake up at different rates, you may not see new growth on plants in your yard right away. Generally, if you haven’t seen new growth on trees, shrubs, and perennials by the end of May or early June, replacement may be necessary.
For more information on spring yard and garden preparation visit extension.umn.edu/yard-and-garden or contact your local Clay County Extension Educator, Jill Patrie by phone 218-299-7338 or by email at patri350@umn.edu.