Gardening Tasks, April and May

Spring is in full glorious swing. Buds are breaking on trees and shrubs, tulips are flowering, and the great pollenning is upon us! Wild temperature fluctuations including threats of frost are still very likely in the first half of the month, so be careful not to let spring fever get the best of you. Usually by around the 15th, we are safe from threats of frost in the Piedmont area.

• Early April is a great time to plant and divide perennials
• Put up stakes or peony hoops on any perennials that need additional supports
• Plant spring and summer annuals after mid-month
• Feed any plants that need an extra boost; we like fish emulsion foliar sprays or adding compost if organic matter is low
• Assess woody plants for winter damages as they finish leafing out. Damages are particularly common with hydrangeas, and subshrubs including Russian sage, salvias and lavender. Prune off dead wood just above new growth 
• Spring flowering shrubs including spiraea, azalea, and forsythia can be pruned after they’ve finished blooming 
• Towards the end of the month, consider planting summer bulbs like dahlias, gladiolus and calla lilies or setting your tropical plants outdoors
• Try to get to cool season weeds before they set seed. Using a stirrup-hoe with a sharp blade on small weeds is much easier than hand-pulling later when they get big

By May in Atlanta, we can start expecting pretty consistently warm temperatures; don’t forget your sunscreen and hat.

• Leave your perennial bulb foliage (such as daffodils) intact- not tied down or cut back – until they’ve completely yellowed and gone dormant. This allows the plant to send all the sugars and starches back to the bulbs for next years’ success
• Assess your spring blooming trees and shrubs for their vitality and growth, and consider soil tests to determine if they need a spring feed – such as a compost top-dressing or organic slow-release granular product
• Start watching the garden closely for any additional watering needs between rainfalls
• Keep up with your weeding! 
• Pay close attention to water as temperatures rise, especially for new plantings that need more watering than established plants

As winter and spring wind down, it’s a great time to assess your garden for adding missing elements that shine in these times of year. Make notes of where additional spring blooming bulbs and perennials or evergreen presences might be needed and begin planning for adding these in the fall.