April is the month when we can finally spend time out of doors, breathing fresh, cool air and watching plants and trees “green up.” April is also the month to get your garden in gear for the season. But do so slowly. Starting too early can compact the soil and disturb pollinators that may still be asleep in the garden. This article will review steps you should be taking now in your flower or vegetable gardens to set the stage for a successful growing season. 

Garden Clean Up

The Minnesota garden in early spring is not impressive looking. Bunches of dead plant stalks, soggy leaves, and lots of brown. The temptation is to start cutting down the brown to make room for green growth as soon as the snow melts. But don’t! During the winter, our dead, brown yards are actually playing host to dozens of pollinating insects. As longer days arrive, they emerge from their winter homes – underneath leaves, in hollow plant stems, and underground – and begin their critically important work for our food chain.

When can you start cleaning up the mess? Most insects will not emerge until temperatures are consistently about 50 degrees. In Minnesota, this could be mid to late April or even early May. Of course, you may need to move some winter debris, for example, if leaves are smothering your grass. But be selective and let old plants and leaves rest for a while longer.

Lawn Care

Late spring and early fall are good times to fix bare patches in lawns. Cooler temperatures are ideal for germinating new lawn seed. Temperatures between 55-65 degrees are ideal for new lawn growth. Pre-emergent applications to control crabgrass or weed seed germination should be done mid-April to mid-May. Do not apply a pre-emergent to newly seeded lawns or gardens (pre-emergent prevents seeds from germinating). Hold off on fertilizing lawns until May when lawn growth begins to take off.

Perennials

Cut back any perennials that you left standing last fall. It is also the time to divide your established perennials as they begin to emerge from the ground. For many perennials, division helps the plant perform better because there is more space for roots to grow and absorb nutrients and water. (Hint: if you see a hole in the center of your hosta, it wants to be divided!) Plant division is also a cost-free way to expand your garden. 

Check out https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/dividing-perennials  for more information about how to divide perennials. 

Soil Testing

Spring is the time to prepare your garden soil. Good soil is the foundation of a healthy lawn and garden. Spring is also a good time get your soil tested. Soil testing is available through the University of Minnesota Soil Testing Laboratory. The basic soil test will provide information on the soil texture, organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, pH and lime levels in your soil. With that information, you will know the specific composition of fertilizer that will benefit your garden. It will also provide you with information that will help you determine the types of plants that will do best in your garden.  

Soil testing is easy! You will fill out a form that asks what the area will be used for and the results will then provide recommendations specific to that use.  A soil sample of two to three cups of soil can be mailed or brought to the Soil Testing Laboratory at the University of Minnesota.  The sample should be collected by walking in a zig zag pattern through the space and placed in a clean tub or plastic bag.  Separate samples should be submitted for separate areas of your yard.  Go to this website for specific instructions about how to submit a soil sample and get the latest fees.

Preparing the Soil

Applying compost to your soil may improve it and help plant growth. Incorporating compost into light, sandy soil helps it hold both moisture and nutrients while adding it to heavy soil improves drainage. If you haven’t applied compost in the fall - and depending on the results of your soil test - adding 2-3 inches of compost and working it into your soil about two weeks before planting may be helpful. 

Spring is the time to till your soil if that is your practice. Tilling the soil helps to warm it and removes existing weeds. But tilling also stimulates germination of new weeds which should be promptly removed as they emerge. Note that tilling may not be necessary. Take a look at this article for alternatives to tilling. If you do till, it should not be done when the soil is too wet because it may become compacted when it dries. If your soil sticks to a shovel and holds a ball, it is too wet to till. If you are going to add compost or other amendments to the soil, do so before tilling.

Planting

If you started seeds indoors this winter, you can start bringing seedlings outside during the warmer days of mid to late April (depending on the plant or vegetable) and begin acclimating them to their environment.  Remember to watch the weather when hardening off seedlings as extreme wind, sun exposure and cold temperatures can set them back.  Spring blooming annuals like pansies and violas can tolerate cooler temperatures adding a pop of color to your outdoor space while we wait for warmer temperatures to arrive.

Some cool-season vegetables can be planted outside in mid to late April. The soil must be thawed and easily workable before you plant. Check the soil temperature to determine when cool weather vegetables can be planted. Here are some examples of appropriate soil temperatures for some vegetables:

• 40 degrees – arugula, kale, lettuce, bok choi, peas, spinach, radishes, radicchio

• 60 degrees – beans, beets, broccoli, brussels sprouts, carrots

• 70 degrees – tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, cucumbers, squash, corn melons

Cleaning Garden Tools

Disease from an infected plant may be spread to a healthy one by using dirty garden tools. Proper cleaning of your tools can reduce the spread of disease. If you haven’t cleaned your tools in the fall, do so in the spring. You should also clean your tools when you have used them on plants that may be infected with a disease. Cleaners such as Lysol All-Purpose Cleaner, a bleach solution and alcohol may be effective cleaners. However, refer to the following article regarding the proper methods to use with these cleaners.

The last time you were able to work in the garden, you were raking leaves, cutting down plants, putting garden ornaments away and covering patio furniture. Take pleasure in doing the reverse and watching your garden come alive again.  

References:

• Mississippi Watershed Management Organization; www.mwmo.org

• University of Minnesota Yard and Garden, Spring Yard and Garden Preparation

• https://extension.umn.edu/planting-and-growing-guides/clean-and-disinfect-gardening-tools

Photo Credit: Mississippi Watershed Management Organization (1), University of Minnesota Extension (2,4,5), Minnesota State Horticultural Society (3)