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Things to Plant in April

Flower Plants: Ageratum, Ajuga, Joseph’s Coat (Amaranathus), Balsam, Wax Begonia, Blue Daze, Blue Cardinal Flower, Boltonia, Scarlet Bouvardia, Calico Plant, Chocolate Plant, Cigar Plant (Cuphea Ignea),  Cockscomb, Coleus, Columbine, Copper Plant, Coreopsis, Cosmos sulphureus, Dahlia, Shasta Daisy, Feverfew, Geranium, Gomphrena, Hibiscus, Hollyhock, Impatiens, Jacobinia, Lantana, Marigold (African, French and Mexican Mint), Nierembergia, Pentas, Periwinkle, Persian Shield,  Plumbago, Phlox Drummondii, Portulaca, Purslane, Purple Coneflower (Echinacea), Rudebeckia Hirts, Salvia, Sedum, Stokes’ Aster, Sunflower (helianthus), Torenia (Wishbone Flower), Yarrow, Zinnia.

FLOWER SEEDS: Ageratum, Balsam, Castor Bean, Celosia, Cleome, Cockscomb, Coleus, Coral Vine, Cosmos, Cypress Vine, Dahlia (Dwarf), Echinacea, Feverfew, Four-o’clock, Globe Amaranth, Gourd, Impatiens, Linaria, Nasturtium, Marigold, Moonflower, Morning Glory, Periwinkle, Petunia, Pinks, Portulaca, Scabiosa, Sunflower, Sweet Pea (Perennial), Tithonia, Torenia, Vinca, Zinnia.

BULBS: Achimenes, Acidanthers, Allium, Alstroemeria, Amarcrinum,Amaryllis, Bletilla (Ground Orchid),Caladium, Calla, Canna, Crinum, Dahlia, Daylily, Dietes, Ginger, Gladiolus, Gloriosa Daisy, Hosta, Hymerocallis (Spider Lily), Hypoxis, Liriope, Monkey Grass, Rainlily, Society Garlic, Tigridia.

VEGETABLES:
Early—Mid Month: Peppers, Radish, Squash, Tomato.
ALL Month: Amaranth, Bean, Corn, Cucumber, Eggplant,Muskmelon, Okra, Peanuts, Pumpkin, Southern Pea, Sweet Potato, Tomatillo, Watermelon.

HERBS: Anise, Star Anise, Basil, Bay, Borage, Bouncing Bet, Caraway, Catnip, Chives, Comfrey, Costmary, Cumin, Fennel, Fenugreek, Scented Geranium, Germander, Horehound, Horseradish, Lamb’s Ear, Lavender, Lemon Grass, Lemon Verbena, Mexican Mint Marigold (a great substitute for French Tarragon), Monarda, Oregano, Perilla, Rosemary, Sage, Santolina, Summer Savory, Winter Savory, Sesame, Sorrel, Southernwood, Tansy, Tarragon,Thyme, Common Wormwood, Roman Wormwood, Yarrow.

 FRUIT: Bare root or container grown Pecans, Fruit trees, Grapes and Berry bushes.

Things to Do in April

Fertilize: Fertilize azaleas a second time. Hydrangeas, camellias, gardenias, magnolias and Lousiana Irises also do well with azalea food.  Tomatoes and peppers should be fed with a liquid fertilizer. Feed Crape Myrtle beneath the branch spread with 1/3 cup complete fertilizer per sq. yd. After second mowing, fertilize lawn with 3-1-2 ratio product, aerify first, if needed. Fertilize all houseplants with complete fertilizer.  After blooming, feed bulbs with bone meal. Mulch trees, shrubs, vegetable garden and flower beds (after soil has warmed) with 2”-4” of mulch.  Pine needles and oak leaves make a good mulch for acid loving plants. Spread coffee grounds around azaleas and other acid loveing plants.

WATER: Annuals and other dry soil areas a needed.

TRANSPLANT: divide and transplant late summer and fall flowering bulbs. Container-grown plants (almost any kind) can to into the ground now. Move azaleas and camelias, if needed. Plant summer annuals to get their root systems established before the extreme heat arrives.

LAWNCARE: Plant grass sod or plugs. Water daily for one or two weeks to aid in establishment. Begin regular lawn care. Mow every 5-7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn. Keep St. Augustine grass at 2 1/2 to 3” height.

DISEASES/PESTS TO LOOK FOR: Spray roses with findicide to prevent blackspot. Continue spraying peach and plum trees for curculio. Call Extension Office (512) 473-9600 for spray schedule for fruit and nut trees. Watch for stinkbugs and early blight on tomatoes.

PRUNE: Spring-flowering shrubs and trees after they bloom. Prune clumbing roses and other “once bloomers” as soon as they finish flowering. Divide chrysanthemums and pinch tips for bushier growth. Thin peaches 4 to 6 inches apart and plums 3 to 4 inches apart. Thin apples and pears to one per cluster.

Ten tips for terrific tomatoes

1. Don’t plant in the shade. Sunlight=large, tasty fruit.
2. prepare the site by mixing in organic matter and fertilizer.
3. plant in raised beds. Tomatoes can’t swim.
4. select locally proven varieties with a VFN after their name.
5. plant at least three varieties to hedge your bet. There is no perfect vareiety.
6. Mulch soil to control weeds and hold moisture. Mulch also reduces early disease problems.
7. stake or  cage plants to keep fruit off the ground. Staking and removing suckers=fewer, larger, earlier fruit.
8. feed plants weekly with a balanced fertilizer after first fruit are set. Growing, producing plants get hungry.
9. water regularly in the heat of the summer. deep soakings are best.
10. inspect regularly for signs of insect and disease damage. Early control is important.

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