April Landscaping Guide: Spring is springing

As spring growth begins to take off and blooms abound, here are some pointers to help keep your garden beautiful and healthy. 

Mulch: Now is a great time to add a fresh layer of mulch to your garden and landscape. As temperatures rise, mulch helps reduce watering needs and keep the root zones of plants cool. We recommend a 3-4 inch layer of organic mulch. Shredded hardwood is a favorite, but we also love the look of crushed pecan shells which are a great local option. For veggie beds, avoid hardwood mulch as it can hold too much moisture next to their tender stems. Instead, try pine needles which not help prevent excessive evaporation, but give veggies a slight boost in acidity which they love.

Pest and Disease control: Check plants for pest infestations and diseases such as powdery mildew which can be a problem in our warm and wet springs. Our gardeners use Actinovate, a product approved for organic gardening, to help control mold and fungus growth on plants. 

Fertilize: During times of growth, we recommend a biweekly foliar spray of fish emulsion and seaweed. The fish emulsion provides nutrients that support plant growth and vitality, and the seaweed helps plants adapt to stresses from rising temperatures and increasing intensity from the sun. 

April is a great month to plant pretty much everything!