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.

 

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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