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Seasonal Gardening Tips from Clemson Extension
Information provided by Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service.
Watch Out For: Common Spring Issues
Fruits
- Fireblight – inspect fruit trees for fireblight. If you had problems with fireblight last year, you will need to spray your blooms this year to prevent the spread. The best defense is a fireblight-resistant variety.
Lawns
- Lawn diseases – watch for brown patch and dollar spot in warm season grasses, especially if you had problems last year.
- Chinch bugs – monitor your lawn for activity.
- White grubs – Bacillus thuringiensis works on Japanese Beetle grubs but not other types.
Vegetables
- Garden insects – watch for corn earworm and cucumber beetle in the garden.
Things to Do in April
Flowers
- Bulbs – plant summer- and fall-flowering bulbs such as dahlias, gladioli, cannas, and lilies once soil reaches 55°F.
- Dividing – divide fall-blooming perennials.
Fruits
- Spray fruit trees – apply fungicide every 7 to 10 days. Avoid insecticides until less than 10% of blooms remain to protect pollinators.
Lawns
- Add iron – improves color in centipede and St. Augustine lawns without excessive growth.
- Fire ants – apply bait in late April or early May when soil temperatures are between 70–95°F.
- Lawn establishment – plant warm-season grasses now; wait until fall for cool-season grasses.
- Nutsedge (“nutgrass”) – identify type before treatment; apply herbicides during active growth.
- Irrigation – begin watering if needed; about one inch per week is sufficient for most lawns and vegetables.
Ponds and Trees
Ponds
- Pond fertilization – fertilize this month if needed, but not within 4–6 weeks of liming.
Trees
- Tree fertilization – April is a good time to fertilize trees.
Vegetable Planting Guide
With reduced frost risk in April, it’s a great time to begin planting:
- Cantaloupe – Apr. 15 to May 15
- Cucumbers – Apr. 15 to May 15
- Melons – Apr. 20 to Jun. 30
- Squash – Apr. 15 to May 15
- Snap, Pole, & Half-runner beans – Apr. 15 to 30
- Sweet corn – Apr. 15 to 30
Additional Resources
All referenced gardening materials are available online at:
http://www.clemson.edu/hgic/
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The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, gender, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer.
