April Gardening Calendar

april gardening calendar protea shrub, herbs, perennials, ladybug on healthy leaf and fertiliing shrub

April Gardening Tips: Garden Checklist for the Month of April

Wondering What You Should Be Doing In Your Garden?

Gardening in the Bay Area of California in April is an exciting time, as the weather begins to warm up and the risk of frost diminishes. This month is crucial for setting the stage for a vibrant and productive garden throughout the spring and summer. Below is your checklist of key things to do in your garden this April.

eb stone organics earthworm castings organic compost tree and shrub food sure start

1. Fertilizing & Soil Prep

Missed fertilizing in March? It’s not too late!

  • Fertilize your lawn, perennials, shrubs, citrus, and fruit trees with an organic, slow-release fertilizer.
  • E.B. Stone Sure Start and Tree & Shrub Food are great go-to’s to nourish your plants.
  • Refresh your garden beds with compost or earthworm castings to boost soil health.

2. Planting & Seed Starting

Time to get those summer crops and flowers in the ground!vegetable starts trays of veggies

  • Warm-Season Veggies: Plant tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, corn, and eggplants from starts or seeds.
  • Herbs: Plant basil, dill, cilantro, parsley, and more. Many herbs thrive in containers and sunny garden beds.
  • Cool-Weather Herbs: Cilantro, dill, and parsley can be tucked into shady spots or grown beneath tall veggies like tomatoes and peppers.
  • Flowers: Sow or transplant summer bloomers like zinnias, cosmos, marigolds, sunflowers, and alyssum. Add impatiens and begonias for shade.

3. Wildlife Support

Make your garden a haven for birds, bees, and butterflies.monarch butterfly on salvia, birdhouse, hummingbird feeding on bird feeder

  • Add bird feeders, shallow birdbaths, and plant California natives that provide nectar, pollen, or seeds.
  • Avoid using pesticides near flowering plants. Your garden helpers will thank you!

4. Pruning & Cleanupcenturion garden accessories pruners

Tidy up to encourage healthy growth.

  • Prune spring-flowering shrubs like camellias and azaleas once blooms fade.
  • Remove dead or damaged branches from trees and shrubs.
  • Clear out remaining fallen leaves and debris to discourage pests and disease.

5. Irrigation & WateringA soaker hose set up to water several plants in a garden atop mulch.

Get ready for the dry season.

  • Check your irrigation system for clogs, leaks, or broken sprinkler heads.
  • Upgrade to a drip irrigation system for water efficiency.
  • Increase watering frequency for indoor and outdoor container plants as temperatures rise.

6. Lawn Caregrass lawn

April is a great time to revive your lawn.

  • Apply a spring lawn fertilizer to encourage lush growth.
  • Planning to grow new grass? Sow seeds now while temperatures are ideal for germination.

7. Pest & Weed Management

They’re back! Time to protect your plants.A ready-to-use container of Bonide Neem Max

  • Keep aphids in check with Neem Max oil, Bonide All Seasons Spray, or beneficial insects like ladybugs (just don’t spray after releasing them!).
  • Battle slugs with Sluggo.
  • Suppress weeds early with a thick layer of mulch or use an eco-friendly weed preventer like Concern Corn Gluten Weed Preventer.

8. Seasonal RemindersA collage of different plants, flowers, a monarch butterfly, a drip line watering strawberries etc. With the text Happy Earth Day and Think Green

  • Happy Earth Day – April 22! Celebrate by planting something new.
  • Add Mulch: A fresh layer around trees, shrubs, and flower beds helps conserve moisture and smother weeds.
  • Visit Us: Stop by your local SummerWinds Nursery for plants, tips, and everything you need to succeed.

At SummerWinds, We Guarantee Success!