Things You Can Do in April to Get Ready for Spring in Northeast Ohio

It’s finally warming up! It’s go time for all of those seeds and new plants you started last month.

• INDOOR, early April: Start basil seeds.

• INDOOR, between April 9-16: Start melon, cucumber, pumpkins and squash (zucchini) seeds.

• OUTDOOR: Start cold crops such as broccoli, lettuce, cabbage and kale when the soil temp is above 55°.

• Apply powdered COPPER FUNGICIDE to vegetable gardens and raised beds.

• Sterilize tomato cages and stakes (especially important if disease was present previous season)

• If used containers: remove old soil and clean/sterilize.

• Turn in compost/amend soil.

• Clean up lingering leaves and remove from around perennials and base of shrubs before they break dormancy.

• Divide overgrown perennials such as hostas, salvia, and garden phlox if ground is soft and workable.

  • Indications include: floppy growth, bare spot in center of plant or just overgrown in general

• Check your soil!

  • Now is the perfect time to amend. (SWEET PEET, COMPOST, HOLY COW)
  • Indications of poor soil include: clay and compacted, stunted growth or weak plants, little to no organisms such as earthworms and centipedes.
  • Soil should be a rich, dark color with a good dirt smell! Plenty of earthworms and should crumble easily in your hands.
  • Adding compost or SWEET PEAT is highly recommended.
  • Bring your soil in to either location to be tested for pH.

• Apply PREEN to landscape beds and garden

  • Do NOT use if you are planning to sow seeds directly into soil!

• Apply crabgrass preventer to lawn

  • Usually before April 15; when Forsythia and Pieris are in bloom

• Apply REPELS ALL around spring bulbs (especially Tulips!) as they begin to emerge.

• Trim and fertilize roses with ROHR’S ALL SEASON and ROSE-TONE.

  • If bloom production was low last year, apply TRIPLE SUPER PHOSPHATE.

• Trim ornamental trees and shrubs before breaking dormancy (Japanese Maples).

  • Usually, late March/early April is best as chance of hard frost goes down.
  • Watch the weather; do not do hard pruning if freezing temps are in forecast!

• Prep for mulching:

  • Weed beds, preen, edge, etc.
  • It is recommended to mulch just after perennials begin to break dormancy. This reduces the risk of suffocation!

Questions? Email us at [email protected] or call one of our two locations: Portage (330-499-0101) or Everhard (330-492-1243).

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