By Pat Shay, UC Master Gardener of Merced County

It’s the time of the year we’ve all been waiting for, right!? Warmer temps, so we can start planting. Loads of marked up catalogs and seed packets ready for use. A couple of bags of fresh potting soil to start the seeds and pot up starts either from our own cuttings or from SALES! Oh boy, don’t we wish this season was twice as long as it is to get as much done as we’ve been planning! Our rain has been feast or famine when we just want a full aquifer.

APRIL: Caution: DO NOT TILL wet soil! Particularly if your soil is heavy clay! This is kind of a ho-hum warning at this point since rain seems to be illusory yet again this year, but just in case it does pour, don’t forget to let the ground dry out some before you start tilling.
Spring bulbs have bloomed and may be beginning to fade. As the flowers decline on bulbs, do NOT trim the foliage back to the ground. Instead, let leaves decline on their own. A tip for the unsightly, beginning to wilt stems, fold them over and tie with string, until they are ready to fall off.
Fertilize camellias, rhododendrons, azaleas, and gardenias as their blossoms fade. Be sure to rake up fallen camellia blossoms and dispose of them away from the garden. They can be a source of disease to the plants if left under the bushes.
Also it’s time to fertilize citrus one last time as the bloom fades and the fruit begins to grow. Divide overcrowded perennials – share with gardening friends or move to other locations in your own yard.
If you want to cut back older salvias, etc., trim off woody pieces to use as starts for new plants for your yard or a friend’s. Time to plant late spring/summer annuals and also berries.
It’s a great time to get your lawnmower to the shop for a tune-up before mowing season begins in earnest. If the weather stays warm, remember to adjust sprinklers as needed all around the yard.
It’s a good time to plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers from starts. Merced College’s Plant Sale is April 17-18 is a great source of inexpensive, locally started veggies and flowers for your garden. Follow link to sign up for a specific time to shop!