UCCE Master Gardeners of Calaveras County

Gardening Tips For April

• Pinch chrysanthemums back to 6 inches every month through July.
• Trim dead flowers but not leaves, from spring bulbs.
• Mulch cane berries, cut out all old canes and reset new canes in twine.
• Cultivate and pull weed seedling now to prevent bloom.
• Check irrigation system and perform maintenance as needed.
• Check hoses as needed for fire protection.
• Prune apples, pears, any shoot tips with powdery mildew or fireblight; azaleas, rhododendrons, flowering fruit trees after bloom if needed, spring flowering shrubs, frost-damaged growth.
• Mow or cultivate grass around orchards to discourage thrips and plant bugs. Best time for cleft graphing.
• Control slugs, snails and earwigs with traps or barriers.
• Thoroughly clean debris from ponds, fountains and bird baths.
• Remove ladder fuels on your property that can increase how fast fire spreads.
• Check dates of Master Gardener classes.

Get more gardening tips for this month...