Late March or early April is the end of the spring planting season; roots need to become established before the summer heat.

Tasks

• Watch for powdery mildew on susceptible plants. Rotate the fungicide used since the fungus may develop resistance.
• If citrus has scale, mites or thrips, spray with summer-weight horticultural oil or insecticide.
• Continue to monitor and destroy (or relocate) snails and slugs.

Pruning

• Deadhead roses to encourage repeat blooming.
• Prune avocado and citrus only if necessary.

Fertilizing

• Lightly fertilize container plants.
• Fertilize acid-loving plants with a product formulated specifically for them.

Planting

Newer varieties of petunia or Calibrachoa called ‘Superbells' are available at most nurseries and garden centers. They have a long bloom time and come in a variety of colors. Look for them.

• When planting a vegetable garden, choose a sunny spot.
• Annuals: petunia (Calibrachoa), marigold (Tagetes), black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus.
• Fruits and vegetables: eggplant, melons, peppers, radish, spinach, squash, plant from seed.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), razzleberry (Loropetalum), crab apple (Malus), mock orange (Philadelphus).
• Perennials: geranium (Pelargonium), Russian sage (Perovskia), sword fern (Polystichum munitum), gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: candytuft (Iberis), sweet pea (Lathyrus), statice (Limonium), alyssum (Lobularia), lupine, stock (Matthiola), forget-me-not (Myosotis).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: calla (Zantedeschia).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: magnolia, crab apple, flowering peach, flowering plum, cherry (Prunus), redbud (Cercis).
• Fruits and vegetables: asparagus, strawberry.

Things to ponder

• Mulch, mulch, mulch to conserve water and prevent weed germination.
• Deep water trees during warm weather. Do not allow water to stand against the trunk of a tree.