April is here! Below are a few gardening tips for cool-season lawns, fruits, nuts and indoor plants.
Cool season lawns
Tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass
Do not mow the lawn until it has grown at least three inches. The roots are being renewed in the spring and grass needs vigorous top growth initially.
This is a crucial time to mow tall fescue and Kentucky bluegrass at 3.5-4 inches (oftentimes the highest setting on your mower) to discourage weed invasion, particularly if crabgrass preemergents or other herbicides are not being applied. When the grass is actively growing, mowing may be needed every 5-7 days.
Apply crabgrass preemergents approximately at forsythia bloom or 55 degree soil temperatures. Apply by April 15. If significantly earlier, consider split applications (two half rates) made 4-6 weeks apart. Do not apply to areas that have been or will need to be seeded recently.
Control broadleaf lawn weeds now with selective herbicides through late May before they get large and temperatures get too high to apply herbicides safely.
Do not apply nonselective herbicides to lawns such as glyphosate in the spring. The plant that replaces the targeted weed will more than likely be another weed.
Fertilize with 0.5 to 1 nitrogen per 1,000 square feet, preferably with a slow-release fertilizer.
Aerate if thatch is heavy or soil is compacted. If soil is low in organic matter, topdress with compost prior to aerification.
Fruits and nuts
Follow the Fruit Spray Schedule for pest free fruit. MU Extension Guide g6010 Fruit Spray Schedule https://extension.missouri.edu/g6010.
Grape vines with excess vegetative growth generally have less high-quality fruit. In early spring, prune out the canes with the fewest buds to allow light, moisture and air circulation within the plant to improve the quality and quantity of fruit.
Plant bare-root or potted fruits as soon as the soil can be worked. Select disease-resistant varieties. See MU Extension Guide g6005 Fruit Cultivars for Home Plantings https://extension.missouri.edu/g6005.
Remove tree wraps from fruit trees now.
Protect bees and other pollinating insects. Do not spray insecticides on fruit plantings that are blooming.
If freeze or frost is expected, use frost protection on blooming fruits.
Begin thinning peach and apple blossoms on trees.
Begin spraying for cedar apple rust if the disease has been problematic in the past or if Eastern Red Cedar trees are in the vicinity.
Apply bactericide at bloom and petal fall to control fire blight on apple trees and begin codling moth control.
For peach, begin brown rot control following periods of leaf wetness from bloom to harvest.
Be on the lookout for stink bugs and tarnished plant bugs on peaches. Treat accordingly. For more information, see MU Extension Guide g6010 Fruit Spray Schedule https://extension.missouri.edu/g6010.
Pull frost protection off the strawberry beds after the last frost.
Begin thinning peach and apple blossoms soon after bloom to promote large fruit size and prevent limb breakage.
Indoor plants
When repotting houseplants, prevent stem rot by potting up plants on a slight mound with the soil sloping 1/4 inch lower at the edge of the pot. Be sure the new pot has holes for adequate drainage.
Consider using a slow-release fertilizer in the soil when repotting plants or as a top dress if not repotting.
Dust or wash leaves to promote adequate photosynthesis in the leaves.
Don't be too anxious to move your house plants outdoors. Even a good chill can knock the leaves off tender plants.
(Source: Missouri Botanical Garden)
Dhruba Dhakal, PhD is a University of Missouri Extension Horticulturist, serving to Missourians about a decade in Central Missouri. Dhruba can be contacted at [email protected] with gardening questions.