April "To Do" List for Your Lawn and Garden

Us northerners are itching to get out in the yard and start playing in the dirt. With some of the dreaded white stuff still on the ground, we can only dream green.

With April upon us, spring is here (at least according to the calendar!) and there are certain things you should be thinking about this month to get ready for a full-fledged, colorful summer and fall.

Here are some handy tips on what to do in April for your garden and yard.

1.Time to plant the shrubs. If you've purchased any shrubs or trees, now is the time to get them in the ground. Don't wait too long- mid month is the best time to do it to give them a chance to root. Trim your forsythia after it's down flowering, and spread good compost around other bushes and trees that is high in nitrogen.

2.Plant your summer flowering bulbs. Get them in the ground so they're ready and beautiful come summer. Mix compost and peat moss into the soil. Plant your annual seeds as well. After the last frost has passed, you can move your indoor plants outside and plant or repot if necessary.

3.Divide your perennials. Now is the time to divide your perennials and pass some along to friends. Trim them back and fertilize. Also trim rose bushes and fertilize those as well.

4.Head out to the vegetable garden. Aerate your soil and add compost. You can plant some of the hardier seeds now, others you will want to wait another month or so.

5.Take care of your berries. Trim the raspberry bushes back, and uncover the strawberries and make sure they are well watered.

6.Rake and fertilize your lawn. Run over your lawn with a rake to aerate it and spread some fertilizer on. Depending on where your lawn is, shaded, full sun etc. will depend on what types of fertilizer you will use. Ask your favorite lawn care professional or inquire at any garden store. Remember to keep your lawn watered!

Summer will be here before we know it, and if we do the proper steps in the spring months, we can enjoy our green yards and flowering gardens. Fruits and vegetables are a great bonus when they're grown and eaten fresh and grown in your own garden. The key to a successful garden is the time and love you put into it up front!