April is the perfect time to start planting cool-season crops like peas, lettuce, and radishes as the weather warms up. It’s also a great month for preparing the soil, pruning winter-damaged plants, and adding compost for a healthy garden. Read on for more gardening tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, from our Pyramid Way store explains, “In the winter months, indoor plants go into a semi-dormant state and require less water. Now that the days are getting longer and the weather is warming up, you may notice that your indoor plants are drying out faster. You may need to increase the frequency at which you water. Make sure to check the soil’s moisture level before you water, this can be done by using your finger and sticking it a couple inches into the soil or investing in a moisture meter. In most cases it is better to underwater a plant than over water it. This is also a great time to start fertilizing your indoor plants regularly. I would suggest Foxfarm’s Grow Big for all of your leafy house plants. For succulents and cacti I would suggest a fertilizer with less nitrogen like, Tiger Bloom (also from Foxfarm) or Fertilome’s Cactus fertilizer. Make sure to read the instructions for application rates, believe it or not you can over fertilize your plants.“

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “In the Fall we plant spring flowering bulbs like tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, crocus etc. In the Spring (which is now) we can plant summer flowering bulbs like gladiolus, dahlias, lilies, begonias etc. that will bloom later in the summer. Follow these tips for a great start: Pick an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun each day. Then prepare the soil by loosening it up  8 to 12 inches deep. Mix in organic compost and fertilizer. Plant bulbs at a specific depth as noted on the back of the package (usually 2-3 times the bulb’s height). Lastly, water thoroughly and keep moist during growth. Be prepared to stake taller flowers like gladiolus and dahlias to prevent breakage.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “Making sure your irrigation system is in good condition can be a life saver for your landscape. When you turn it on, run it for at least 40 minutes to help find any leaks, clogs or cracked tubing. Inspect your emitters to confirm they aren’t clogged. It can be tedious, but it will ensure your beautiful plants and trees are getting the life support system they need. If trees have grown to enlarge their canopy, it may be time to extend the emitters farther away from the trunk. Those water absorbing roots grow out horizontally and they want the water just inside the edge of the canopy- called the ‘drip line.’ As they mature, giving them bigger britches will make for happy, healthy trees.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “As the beginning of nesting season is upon us, it is especially important to review birdseed offerings and birdhouse availability. Many birds rely on fresh water, high fat foods, and an abundance of protein to raise their young. Be sure to refresh last years birdhouse with new nesting material nearby (fur or sticks nearby for smaller birds) or plain wood chips (for wood cavity birds like Owls or Flickers). Now is also a great time to begin offering nectar and fruit to attract incoming hummingbirds or orioles (keep an eye on fruit to make sure it doesn’t go bad!). “

Rob Bouck, from our Moana Lane store, explains, “Many of us refer to April 15 as Tax Day. While this is certainly true, at Moana Nursery we also refer to April 15 as Rose Pruning/Fertilizing Day. Roses are pruned to control size, increase structural strength, and improve health and vigor. When spring pruning roses, your goal is to produce a vase shaped plant with strong outward growing canes, and an open center to improve airflow. As a general rule of thumb, up to 1/3 of overall rose size may be spring  pruned. Start by removing any of last year‘s leaves; these are often yellow and may be harboring diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew. Deadwood (brown and dry) should be cut back to the base of your rose. Excise any crossing branches, thus opening airflow in the center of your plant. Prune out anything smaller than a pen or pencil. On the remaining canes, to encourage outward (not inward) growth, prune by cutting roughly 1/4 to 1/2 inch above outward facing buds at a 45° angle sloping away from the bud. After pruning, make sure to thoroughly clean up the area surrounding your plant. All leaves and cut branches should be discarded. To avoid introducing diseases or pests into your compost pile, spring pruned rose leaves and branches are generally not composted. Sterilizing your pruners by wiping them with isopropyl alcohol frequently and between plants will safeguard against contaminants. Once pruning and cleanup is complete, Moana recommends applying G&B Organics Rose & Flower Fertilizer, or Fertilome Rose & Flower Food plus Systemic. Finally, mulch your rose beds with G & B Organics Harvest Supreme. As with any tree or shrub, always leave a 3 inch donut shaped mulch-free zone around rose canes.”

April
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Turn on your irrigation system and inspect for adequate coverage and any leaks or issues. Use the Qui-Key Master Key for easy DIY irrigation turn on and off. Learn more about the locally designed and produced Qui-Key tool here.
  • Release beneficial nematodes when nighttime temperatures are above 45 degrees for control of soil dwelling pests such as root weevils. Ladybugs, praying mantids & lacewings can be released at the same time to control a wide range of garden pests.
  • Start a new lawn from seed or repair an existing lawn; cover seed with G&B Organics Planting Mix and use Bird B Gone Flash Tape or Dalen® Guard’n Eye® Reflective Disks to protect from birds. Moana recommends Jonathan Green Black Beauty Grass Seed.
  • Core aerate manually with a Coring Aerator, then fertilize your lawn if you haven’t yet done so. Use G&B Organics Lawn Fertilizer. If you have weed problems, use Hi-Yield Turf & Ornamental Weed & Grass Stopper or Jonathan Green® Corn Gluten Weed Preventer.
  • Install Mason Bee tubes in a morning sun location to help with pollination of fruit trees.
  • Moana recommends Bonide Weed Beater Ultra for superior performance in cool weather on broadleaf weeds – i.e., dandelions, wild mustard and more.
  • Use Monterey Remuda Extended Control to kill unwanted plants where you don’t intend to plant for at least one year.
  • Prepare planting beds by cleaning up debris and incorporating three inches of organic matter, like G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner or G&B Organics Purely Compost into the soil.  Mulch existing plantings with 2-4” of compost as well.
  • Continue watering trees, shrubs, lawns, perennials and containers.
  • Moana recommends Barenburg White Clover as an excellent ground cover for gardens and lawns, as it helps improve soil health by fixing nitrogen. When planting white clover seeds, make sure to sow them in early spring or fall for optimal germination. Lightly rake the soil to create a fine seedbed, then sprinkle the seeds evenly over the area. For best results, lightly press the seeds into the soil by walking over the area or using a roller. White clover thrives in well-drained soil and moderate sun, but it can tolerate some shade. Water the seeds regularly, but avoid soaking them too much, as they prefer a slightly drier environment once established.
  • Continue planting fruit trees – pear, apple, peach, cherry, nectarine, apricot & plum.
  • Use Codling Moth Traps, according to directions, to determine when and how often to treat pear and apple trees with Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew.
  • Feed fruit trees with a balanced fertilizer like G&B Organics Citrus & Fruit Tree Fertilizer.
  • Feed trees and shrubs that have been planted more than a year with G&B Organics Paradise Fertilizer, a time release pelletized toss & go fertilizer with beneficial mycorrhizae.
  • Moana recommends Fertilome Tree & Shrub Drench if insects have been a problem in the past. Please always follow all label directions when using pesticides.
  • Inspect trees and shrubs for insect and disease problems; treat immediately with appropriate product.
  • Prune spring flowering trees and shrubs immediately after they have bloomed.
  • Continue planting dormant roses.
  • Remove tree stakes and ties from trees & shrubs planted a year ago or longer.
  • Water is the best way to attract birds and wildlife to your yard and increase the chances of spotting an unusual migrant visitor at your feeder station.
  • Continue to supply fresh water and change it every 5 days to keep it clean. To prevent the chance of disease, clean birdbath weekly with a weak bleach solution and rinse well. 
  • If you have a water feature, turn it on as soon as the weather permits.
  • Reduce window strikes and potentially harmful territorial behavior of birds at windows with UV window decals and Stop Bird Attack.
  • April is a nest building month; place nesting materials out for them now and consider a Wild Birds Unlimited birdhouse for wrens, bluebirds or woodpeckers if they are visiting your yard.
  • Roosting boxes can supply a shelter for some nesting birds; doves and robins are quite likely to use a fabricated nesting shelf.
  • Help celebrate Earth Day by installing an eco-friendly bird feeder or nest box made from recycled milk jugs.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts. To make your station especially attractive, plant bird-friendly flowers and shrubs nearby.
  • Provide mealworms to attract nesting birds to your yard and for the feeding of new nestlings. 
  • Offer WBU Nesting SuperBlend®, Mealworms, WBU Bark Butter Bits®, Bugs & Bits®, Peanut Butter n’Jelly® Suet Dough or WBU Bark Butter® to provide the extra calcium needed during nesting season. Bark Butter® products are popular with parent birds and nestlings alike!
  • Consider adding our new Bugberry Blend to your feeders as an attractive treat for fruit and insect eating birds.
  • Hummingbirds are HERE! Get those hummingbird feeders out in order to take care of new visitors. Change nectar at least weekly until they begin feeding regularly when you’ll frequently have to refill! Orioles will follow soon – be ready with oranges, grape jelly and sugar water.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers.
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.
    • Please note on-sight consultations will not be available from April 17 – June 2, 2025.