First Week of April 

Zone 5/6

6-8 weeks before the last frost

There is no time like spring,

when life’s alive in everything.

Christina Rossetti

We are now on a fast track to all the gardening tasks coming up.  The time to actually get outside and get our hands in the dirt and begin gardening in earnest.  Spring has arrived and the weather is changing.

• Vegetable seeds that can be planted outside in prepared soil in the next few weeks-Beets, carrots, chard, kale, kohlrabi, leeks, lettuce, potatoes, onions, spinach, turnips, parsnips and peas.
• It is a good idea to have a row cover handy if the temperatures drops too low.  Or hot caps or cloches can be used.
• Begin hardening off seedlings of broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower.
• Tomatoes and peppers can be started indoors.  All about seed starting HERE. Make sure you are watering properly and giving these new seedlings plenty of light.
• Start weeding now.  Get a head start on weeds-they are already growing and some are already flowering.
• Begin spreading weed suppressing mulch.
• Build any new raised beds to be planted for summer crops.
• Dig and divide any crowded perennials, such as rhubarb.
• Turn under any row covers.
• Get the rest of the growing beds cleaned up and ready for planting.
• Clean up bird nest boxes.
• Cut back ornamental grasses.
• Begin spring pruning of shrubs and trees.
• Prune roses.
• Prune raspberry canes.
• Remove dead foliage of perennials.
• Turn your compost pile.
• Clean out the planter boxes and pots.  Top off with a good compost.
• Start a garden journal.

“A garden grows

not just from soil and water,

but from the love and hope

poured into it.”