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Spring Gardening
 Crocus, daffodils, tulips galore! Spring
has sprung and the ICN Pros at the Illinois Green Industry Association
say “It’s time to get growing!”
What is an ICN Pro? An ICN Pro is an Illinois Certified Nursery
Professional. In order to earn the title of ICN Pro, one must pass a
rigorous series of tests covering a broad spectrum of topics including
plant identification, landscape design, customer relations, and many
other aspects of every day life in a garden center. An ICN Pro is a
person you can count on to accurately answer your gardening
questions! To locate an ICN Pro in your area, simply log on to
www.illinoisgreen.net and visit the
ICN Pro Directory. There
you will find a complete listing of ICN Pro’s around the state!
There
are many things to do in your lawn and garden in April. The following
is a short list of important reminders:
 Lawn
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Now
is the time to sign up for lawn applications: Crabgrass treatments
should be applied BEFORE the crabgrass can be seen. A common
practice is to apply lawn fertilizer and crabgrass preventer at the
same time. This is granular formulation that can be applied with a
spreader. This formulation should only be applied once soil
temperatures reach 50 degrees.
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April is a good month to sow your grass seed. Remember that you CAN
NOT apply crabgrass preventer on newly seeded areas! It is not
recommended to immediately fertilize newly seeded grass because you
may burn the tender, new shoots.
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Towards the end of April, in Central Illinois, you may begin
treating the weeds that are growing in your lawn. It is a good idea
to wait until then so that the majority of the seed has germinated
and the weeds are actively growing.
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Remember a vigorous turf is a healthier turf. One of the best ways
to maintain the vigor of your turf is to keep your mowing height up,
not one or two inches, but three or four inches! A taller turf
stands a much better chance at competing with weeds!
Garden
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Your
bulbs will continue to pop up and bloom throughout April. After they
bloom be sure to let their foliage ripen! This means that you
should let the foliage die away on its own- do not cut it back, tie
it in knots, or otherwise destroy it. The foliage will continue to
feed the bulb, allowing it produce a flower next season. Once the
foliage is completely brown then it may be cut back. NOTE: One
great idea is to combine your bulbs with groundcovers and ornamental
grasses. The groundcovers and grasses will help hide the bulb
foliage after the bloom.
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When
planting your annuals you need to think about the danger of frost. Some annuals, like pansies and violas, can tolerate a frost, others
will not. Most annual planting should be delayed until after the
frost free date for your area passes. Your ICN Pro will be able to
tell you the frost- free date for your area.
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If
you are planning to install a new garden area, or revamp an old one,
now is the time to do your bed preparation. If your soil is poor
you should work an organic material, such as mushroom compost or
peat moss, into the soil. Application rates can vary depending on
your soil type. An ICN Pro at your local garden center can help you
determine how much you should apply.
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Perennials will be arriving at your local garden center throughout
the month of April. Be sure to visit your garden center frequently
to see what’s in bloom! There will be something new blooming every
week!
 Water
Garden
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April is a great month to awaken your water garden! Get your
filters cleaned out and ready for the upcoming spring and summer!
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If
your fish start coming to the top, wanting fed, it is ok to begin
feeding them again. Be careful not to feed them any more than what
they can consume in a few seconds. Feeding less will help to reduce
algae problems in your pond!
Native landscapes
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If
you are maintaining a native landscape all of your burning should be
completed by the middle of April. It is very important to check with
your local fire authorities before you burn to make sure you have
the proper permits.
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If
you are establishing a new native landscape, April is a perfect time
to start controlling your existing vegetation. On a flat site,
vegetation can be controlled using a combination of tillage and
round- up. On a sloped, or highly erodeable site, only a contact
herbicide like Round- Up should be used.
Insect & Disease
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April is the month to treat for Peach Leaf Curl. If you have Cherry,
Apricot, or other Prunus species, they need to be treated
before the buds break. Lime Sulfur and Captan can be used to
effectively treat for Peach Leaf Curl. If you have questions, an ICN
Pro will be able to help you.
 Birds
& Butterflies
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If
you are trying to attract butterflies to your gardens, remember that
you must provide for the larva and the adult butterfly. The
butterfly larva are caterpillars that are very hungry. They will
feed on certain species in your garden. Most plants will tolerate
this feeding without any trouble. Remember in order to have
butterflies, you have to have the larva also! If you have questions
about butterfly gardening or need to have a caterpillar identified,
consult with your ICN Pro at your local garden center.
For more
great gardening tips, visit your ICN Pro at your local garden
center! While you’re there, be sure to check out the beautiful spring
blooming perennials, shrubs and trees!
More tips...
by Carey
Boehm-Corrie, ICN Pro of the
Year (2003), Boehm's Garden Center,
Rushville, IL
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