my April 2011 gardening to-do list

It feels like winter will never end at this point, doesn't it?  But despite the disgusting weather, I am feeling energized and ready to get going in the garden as soon as opportunity arises (maybe that's because I was in Edmonton this week-end, where it was sunny and the snow was actually melting all weekend!)  I will be making some big changes this year and I am getting my plan ready for the whole season to try to make sure I can get it all done: totally rearrange the garden beds in the front yard in preparation for putting in a little patio next year (in May, the best time to move plants), fill and plant up my new raised vegetable garden beds that were built last fall (also May! yikes! things are going to get busy soon!) and build a lattice screen and small patio in the backyard (as soon as I can get hubby moving on this... July perhaps?)

So what needs to be done in April to prepare for all of this? 

Seeds

• Start more seeds: I will be starting seeds of some flowers such as rose campion, calendula and globe amaranth as well as kale and kohlrabi in early April, and some faster-growing annuals and veggies such as nasturtiums, sweet peas, lettuce in late April (seeds I've ordered for 2011)
• Take care of seedlings I started in February and March : the alpine strawberries are coming along particularly well! (my seed starting setup - it ain't pretty but it works!)

Garden

• Clean and fill the bird baths and bird feeders.  There is nothing like the sound of birds in the garden to make you believe spring is coming even when the weather doesn't feel like it!
• Sweep the patios - mine get covered with spruce needles, which I then use as a mulch in shrubby areas of the garden.
• Lightly rake the lawn with a fan rake once it is dry enough to walk on.  If you have snow mold this will help break it up.
• Pansies and violas can be put out this month, did you know?  I always like to take the kids to the garden centre to pick out a few pansies for each of them to pot up and put on the front steps.
• Cut down last year's perennials - I leave most of them standing for the winter.  
• Pull back mulch from the crowns of perennials that are starting to grow - but leave mulch in place, it's still too early to clean up!
• Set up rain barrels (late April...?)
• Rest up.  May is going to be busy!

From the archives:

• an Easter idea  - how about seeds and peat pellets in re-usable eggs for kids for Easter?
• what to do with Easter flowers - potted daffodils and Easter lilies can be transplanted into the garden
• Vegetable gardening in Calgary 101 - practical information such as when to plant vegetable seeds in Calgary as well as design issues such as raised beds and square foot gardening techniques
• the final cut - perennials that were left standing for the winter and still looked great in April 2010

Other posts you might find useful:

• the Calgary Horticultural Society's April to do list
• natural Easter egg dyes from Vegetable Gardener.com

If you would like a beautiful and successful garden that nourishes your body and soul, view My Services for consultation details.

Comments

[Kim]

You are much more optomistic than me! I am hoping to see the grass sometime by the end of the week. It's hard to even get into the idea of cleaning pots and stuff. Oh well, I will definitely be starting more seeds this week. I have a feeling that spring will be a bit later than usual this year and the seedings keep me happy!

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Optimistic? No, I'm just trying to stay sane by doing something that is garden-related!
LOL!
Janice

[Tales from the Village]

Hello! I found you via Blotanical. We might be moving to Calgary soon (just waiting to hear about a job transfer) and so I'm trying to find out how gardening works with you. It's a bit different to gardening in an English village!

[Calgary Garden Coach]

Tales,
You garden in England? And you're moving here? Oh, I'm so sorry...
But seriously, embrace a different aesthetic (we can grow many things here but they just don't get as BIG as they might elsewhere), find a winter hobby, and you'll be fine!
Keep in touch!
Janice