By: Eleanor Moyer, Clay County Master Gardener Volunteer

There is a song “April is the Cruelest Month” which can apply to our gardens. It warms up, we are enthusiastic to plant all those annuals and warm season crops and a killing frost comes out of nowhere. Our last day of frost isn’t until the end of this month.

Put out hummingbird feeders. There is no need for food dyes. Use 1 cup of sugar dissolved completely in 4 cups of water.
Prune spring-flowering trees and shrubs AFTER they bloom.
Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons after they bloom with an acid-formulated mixture.

Twist off faded flowers of rhododendron to increase the number of flowers next year.
Make a plan to visit Hamilton Gardens beautiful Rhododendron and Azalea display at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds.

Begin fertilization and disease/insect prevention regimen on roses. Discard old mulch under roses. Keep new mulch away from the base of the shrub. Apply compost first, then mulch (don’t need to remove leaves) on garden beds. Feed spring flowering bulbs like daffodils, hyacinths, etc., after they bloom. Remove faded flowers, but let the leaves remain.

• Start a compost pile!
• Divide perennials.
• Keep up the weeding.
• Plant leaf lettuce. Choose a site with 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight; expect a harvest in 45 days.
• Begin hardening off seedlings. Gradually expose them to filtered sunlight outdoors, but protect them from wind.
• Delay planting warm weather vegetables until night temperatures average above 50º.
• Inspect vegetation for renewed signs of insect damage by aphids and spider mites.
• Cut back perennial herbs to keep them more compact.
• Consult NC State Extension publications for fruit and nut tree care. Do not spray flower buds as it can damage necessary pollinators.
• Begin to harden off houseplants, but do not keep outside overnight until night temperatures are in the fifties.
• Repot root-bound houseplants and those whose soil needs replenishing.

Many thanks to Henderson and Towns/Union Counties Master Gardener programs published lists. The Master Gardeners and Clay County Extension office offer more gardening information as well as a variety of helpful resources at go.ncsu.edu/claycomgs.