April

• If you haven't, get a soil test. (See March for local affordable testing)

• Edge flower beds to rid yourself of invading lawn rhizomes. Toss the edgings into the compost.

• Time to stake garden plants. Options are endless from rebar and metal fencing to natural bamboo and twigs for great garden stakes. I prefer to find branches that have fallen over winter or pruned low branches off trees as repurposing.

• 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. Disinfect anything with doTERRA Melalueca and OnGuard essential oil and alcohol. This will help with a clean start, having absolutely nothing on your tools.

• The lawn will appreciate a good fertilizing at this time. I steer clear of the commercial brands, as they are usually combined with a weed killer. I love my crab grass, dandelions, and clover as they add back into my soils nutrional content.

• 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 with doTERRA OnGuard Concentrate and warm water, then hang them for the “early birds.”

• Sow peas as soon as the frost is gone.

• Continue pruning trees of dead and diseased limbs. (Clean prunes with doTERRA OnGuard and Melaleuca after each tree to avoid cross contamination).

• Prune shrubs as well as soon as they're done blooming.

• Berry bushes can be pruned. Always check your guide to see if the berries are biennial. 

• 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 year's growth, unless diseased than dig up, bag and toss.