APRIL TIPS
APRIL TIPS
If you haven’t, get a soil test.
Start the lawn mower to see if it needs a tune-up or repairs before grass cutting time. Be sure the blades are sharp. Sharpen your other tools while you are at it.
The lawn will appreciate a good fertilizing at this time.
Avoid working in the garden unless the soil breaks up in your hand when you squeeze a lump of it.
Turn compost (assuming it is no longer frozen).
Hummingbirds begin appearing this month in some places. Clean their feeders and hang them for the “early birds”.
Sow peas as soon as the frost is gone.
Continue pruning trees of dead and diseased limbs.
Prune shrubs as well as soon as they’re done blooming.
Berry bushes can be pruned. Check a reference guide.
Pull out weed trees and old bramble branches as they come out easily because the soil is still soft and moist.
Remove mulch from strawberries. Put trellis systems and peony supports in place. Plant pansies and other cold weather annuals.
Divide and plant perennials and cut away last years growth.
MAINE VEGETABLE GARDENING: KEEP YOUR GARDEN GROWING – PLANT FROM SPRING TO FALL
Early Spring | Midspring | Early Summer | Midsummer to Fall |
---|---|---|---|
Plant as soon as the ground can be worked | Plant two weeks before the average last frost date | Plant when soil & sun are warm | Plant in late June-early July |
PLANTS | PLANTS | PLANTS | PLANTS |
Broccoli Cabbage |
Cauliflower | Eggplant Pepper Tomato |
Beet Broccoli Carrot Cauliflower Lettuce Radish |
SEEDS | SEEDS | SEEDS | SEEDS |
Endive Lettuce Onion Sets Pea Radish Spinach Turnip |
Beet Carrot Onion Sets Parsnips Swiss Chard |
Cucumber Lima Beans Melon Okra Pumpkin Squash Winter Potatoes |
Beet Broccoli Carrot Cauliflower Lettuce Radish |
Plant 1 Week Later | Plant In Early August | ||
Bean Corn Early Potatoes |
Broccoli * Cabbage * Cauliflower * SEEDS: Lettuce Spinach Turnip &nsbp; Plant 10 Weeks Before Last Frost SEEDS: Beet Carrot |
*Plants are set out later than seeds as sown because hot weather is not favorable for growth
Planting Seeds Indoors | Weeks To Sow Indoors Before Last Frost | Weeks To Germination | Set Out Transplants |
---|---|---|---|
Broccoli | 5-7 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
Brussel Sprouts | 4-6 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
Cabbage | 5-8 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
Cauliflower | 5-8 | 1-2 | After frost, late summer |
Cucumbers | 2-3 | 1-2 | 2 weeks after frost |
Eggplant | 8-9 | 2-3 | Midspring, early summer |
Leeks | 10-12 | 2-3 | Mid to late spring |
Head Lettuce | 3-5 | 2-3 | After frost |
Onions | 6-8 | 2-3 | After frost |
Peppers | 8-10 | 1-2 | Mid to late spring |
Tomatoes | 6-8 | 2-3 | Mid to late spring |