Clean up any debris that may harbor pests and diseases.
Ornamental Garden
Inspect roots of perennials for vole damage.
Divide perennials and transplant at original depth.
Prune rose bushes back to outward-facing buds.
Cage peonies as they emerge from the soil.
Inspect plantings for insect pests such as lace bugs on Azaleas and leaf miners on Columbine.
Fertilize bulbs with a balanced fertilizer after they finish blooming.
Edible Garden
Plant berry crops such as blueberries, strawberry crowns, and raspberries.
Plant cool-weather crops such as arugula, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and spinach.
Plant lettuces every week or two to extend harvest.
Plant herbs such as chives, sage, oregano, thyme, and tarragon now, but hold off until warmer weather in May to plant basil.
Before transplanting vegetable seedlings, gradually harden them off starting about 2 weeks in advance of planting them outdoors.
If possible, transplant vegetable seedlings on a cool, cloudy day or in the late afternoon to lessen transplant shock.
Thin carrots and radishes to proper spacing.
Install supports for vining crops such as spring peas and pole beans.
Use row covers to protect vegetable crops from nighttime temperatures that drop into the 30s.
Delay putting down organic mulch in the vegetable garden until after the soil warms up.
Lawn
Sharpen mower blades in advance of mowing season.
Set mower for highest preferred height for your specific grass variety. Taller grass blades can support a deeper root system, which helps roots find water and nutrients.
Before using the lawn mower, inspect the lawn for broken tree branches, twigs, rocks, matted leaves, toys, and other items that may have accumulated on the lawn over the winter.
Inspect the lawn for damage caused by moles, voles, and other burrowing animals.
Apply pre-emergent herbicide to control crabgrass.
Remove henbit, chickweed, and other cool-season weeds before they go to seed.
