April showers may bring May flowers, but the Farmer's Almanac predicts a mid-month heat wave here in New Jersey. This makes watering important especially for April bloomers like Rhodedendrons and Azaleas. Belonging to the same family, these shrubs have shallow hair-like roots and need well-drained, moist soil.
If you mapped out your garden in winter and you're adding some of these beauties to enhance your landscape, digging a large enough hole and amending the soil is important. They won't thrive where it's too dry or in clay-like soil. They prefer a soil with a PH of 4.5 to 6.0. Don't know what your soil's PH is? Here's how to get your soil tested. Didn't make a map of your garden? There's still time.
Your Daffodils and Tulips should be in full bloom and with a variety of species you can have a longer bloom time than you would if you just plant one kind. When they finish blooming, don't cut the greens because they need them for nutrition. When they're done nourishing themselves the leaves will disappear on their own. This is a good time to look at your space to see where some Spring cheer is needed. Mark your map and your calendar - planting time is in the fall so you'll want to start ordering bulbs at the end of summer. THey'll ship when it's time to plant them.
April's also a good time to reseed grass or spend some time thatching it to make it healthy. To keep yourself healthy, brake out the sunhat for outdoor gardening chores especially now before most of the trees have their canopies. And if you have allergies, wear a mask (you probably have a few to choose from!) and be sure to shower and change your clothes when you come in to get all the pollen off.
Didn't get around to Spring clean up or want to find out about my lawn care and garden services? Give me a call today! I'm looking forward to meeting you! (973) 452-0354
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