April is here, and Spring is in full swing! After a very wet February and warmer temperatures in March, April will bring about beautiful blossoms and vibrant colors to your landscape. Our outdoor spaces are in the process of renewing themselves – the grasses are greening, plants are blossoming and flowers are blooming. There is plenty to do this month, so get outside and enjoy some spring gardening activities. The work you put into your lawn and landscape this month will contribute to a beautiful outdoor space for the rest of the year.
Here is a to-do list for landscaping and gardening in the Dallas/North Texas region to keep your lawn and landscape beautiful.
Lawn Mowing: If you haven’t started already, lawns should be mowed each week now.
Lawn Fertilization: Early April is a good time to apply the first fertilization to your turf for the season. If you haven’t had your soil tested in several years, you should consider it to determine the best fertilizer to use. Combined weed and feed products are not recommended to be applied to your lawns.
New Lawns: Install sod or plant new warm season grasses such as St. Augustine and Bermuda starting in mid-April. Remember that the average night-time temperature should be at least 65 degrees for seed planting new Bermuda grass.
Tree and Shrub Fertilization: In the Dallas-Fort Worth region, we generally recommend fertilizing your trees and shrubs earlier in the Spring, but if you didn’t fertilize them in March, it’s not too late. Deep root fertilization is the best method for fertilizing your trees and shrubs, as it gets the nutrients below the turf for easy access by the tree and shrub roots. Surface fertilization of trees and shrubs is often not effective.
Landscaping Projects: After the Winter, April is when many of us start to consider landscaping projects to improve the appearance and value of our properties. These projects could include the installation of new landscaping such as shrubs, trees and flowers. Many also consider hardscaping projects like patios, stone borders and outdoor kitchens to beautify their outdoor spaces. You may wish to consider some current trends in landscaping and design, such as creating a more natural and sustainable environment, using native plantings, attracting and sustaining birds and bees, and reducing water and irrigation requirements.
New Plantings: April brings the passing danger of frost, so now is the time to plant ground covers and warm season annuals and perennials. Warm season plantings you might consider are cannas, gladiola corms, amaranthus, celosia, cosmos, marigold, portulaca, zinnia, and gomphrena. Wait until next month to plant hot and tropical weather plantings.
Plant Maintenance: Your azaleas can be fertilized now, and you should start fertilizing your roses, which will now need fertilization every 4 to 6 weeks through September. Wait to prune early spring blooming plants until they are done with their spring flowering. Also remember that Azaleas don’t need to be pruned every year, but you can prune back keep long, fast growing shoots to maintain a neat bush.
Mulching: All of your shrub and flower beds should have 3 to 4 inches of quality mulch in them. Good mulch reduces weeds, conserves water, prevents erosion, and regulates soil temperatures. If your beds need tending, April is an excellent time to add mulch.
Weed Control: Inspect frequently and be on the lookout for broadleaf weeds like dandelions, dichondra, henbit and chickweed. Use a broad-leaf weed spray to eliminate them and keep them under control.
Pruning: The shade trees and shrubs in your landscape should be pruned now. Remember not to remove more than 25% of the tree’s canopy, and don’t prune trees in the Oak family now. Oaks are best pruned in the Winter months, and should not be pruned from mid-February until the Fall.
If this list of landscaping and gardening tasks seems a bit daunting, remember to tackle your gardening one step at a time. If you need any assistance, we are here to help. High Quality Landscape Services has been creating beautiful landscapes and providing exceptional service to Dallas homes and commercial customers for 45 years. If you need landscaping services, let us put our experience to work to create a beautiful landscape.
