2023 April Gardening Tips

Spring is the ideal time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air while tending to your garden. With April just around the corner, we thought it would be the perfect time to help keep you busy as a bee so that you can grow your best garden yet. Get your notebook and pencil ready, because it's time for a little spring-cleaning!

Container Gardens

Transform your outdoor area with the beauty of container planting. You don't need a full-fledged garden anymore to enjoy vibrant, lush blooms - just some containers on your patio or porch will do the trick!

	Springtime is a great time to prune shrubby plants with hardy stems, as they only produce flowers on fresh shoots. Regular trimming will keep them in good health and boost their blooms.
	Try planting Violas as a great cool-temperature loving bloom (Tip: check out Viola Rose Antique Gem for a unique display.)
	To ensure full planters, it is best to switch out the top 5 cm of soil with some new soil or start from scratch.
	To kick-start the growing season, transplant seedlings into containers and keep them indoors until all danger of frost has passed.
	Planting bulbs in containers is a great way to add a pop of color and life to your outdoor space. Bulbs are easy to plant, require minimal effort, and will reward you with beautiful summer blooms. Some of our most popular varieties right now are Ranunculus, Anemone, Peony, Calla Lily, Canna Lily, Asiatic Lily, Dahlias, Begonias, Crocosmia.

Tip: With a three-tier plant stand, you can easily organize your garden and keep all of your plants in one place. This is great if you have a lot of plants and need to find them quickly!

Clean up

Spring is the best time to begin your compost pile and you can use your last year's pile for flipping. Most of the kitchen waste which you clean up can be put in it. However, make sure to discard any plant material with symptoms of disease and any weeds or seed heads that might pose a problem. Be sure to keep this in mind while cleaning up dead plants, weeds and trimmings.

	It is absolutely essential to assess the condition of your soil before making amendments. Gauging the pH levels (alkaline, neutral or acidic) will help you evaluate how well balanced the nutrients are.
	To prevent weeds from taking over your garden, now is the time to take action by manually weeding them out. The soil should be damp, as this will make it simpler to pull out the young seedlings. Avoid composting your weeds if possible, as you may regret doing so later on due to their resilience.
	Don't wait for new growth to start before pruning back your ornamental grasses. Cut them close to the ground and they will regrow when they are ready.
	Winter debris needs to be cleared out of flower beds, as this can help disturb slugs that have been overwintering in the area.
	To enhance the drainage of soils with heavy clay content, it is recommended to incorporate plenty of compost into the soil. This will help optimize water absorption and drainage in areas that struggle with these issues.
	Always inspect your plants for any signs of pests and diseases, as this can help prevent serious damage to your crops. Catching the issue early on can make the process of handling it much simpler than trying to fix it after it’s already caused havoc.

Tip: Don't put off tidying up your garden for too long. Pruning your plants before the new growth starts to become intertwined with the old makes it much easier and hassle-free.

Planting

There's nothing better than getting all your chores caught up so that you can start your 2023 garden from freshly prepared soil. If you're ready to plan and prepare your plants, there is so much fun to be had. Let the 2023 planting season begin!

	This season, why not try something new? With our selection of the newest seeds, plants and bulbs, you can create a unique look that will be sure to take your garden to the next level. New seeds, New bulbs & New vines.
	Spring is the time of renewal, and with the frost over, it's the perfect time to get started with perennial planting. Whether you're looking for a low-maintenance garden or want to create a vibrant colourful display, perennials are hardy and long-lasting giving you years of enjoyment. Tip: Try dividing last year's perennials before shopping for new ones.
	Before planting, powder your potatoes in Sulphur to prevent disease.
	Transplant Lettuce, Peas, Radishes, Carrots, Cabbage, Broccoli, Beets, Spinach.
	Now that the days are getting longer and warmer, it's a perfect time to make sure your houseplants are getting the water and attention they need. It's also an ideal opportunity to transplant them into larger pots.

Tip: Start feeding the garden with Nurseryland Vegetable, Flower & Garden 12-16-12.