It is the most beautiful time of the year! Springtime in North Carolina is unlike any other state’s spring. The temperatures are perfect, the sun is shining, the birds are chirping, the grasses are green, and the flowers have just begun to bloom. Here are a few April gardening tips to help you get the wheelbarrow rolling!
Testing Your Soil
Having your soil tested is very important for the overall health of your plants. With pine trees all around us, the soil here in Fayetteville, NC, tends to be very acidic. The high levels of acidity can be detrimental to some plants. You can test your soil with an at-home soil test kit or send a sample off through your local Agricultural Extension office.
Amending Garden Bed Soil
If you want to grow a vegetable garden, you must prepare your garden beds. Out with the old and in with the new…garden soil. Start by removing the old soil or the existing soil. Add composted cow manure and garden soil to your bed. Be sure to blend the two soils. Adding composted cow manure adds an abundance of nutrients to help your vegetables flourish!
Time to Feed…Your Plants
Now that the dormant trees and shrubs are waking up, now is the time to feed those plants! Fertilizing is very important for the overall health of your trees. One of our favorite types of fertilizer is Espoma Organic. Place the fertilizer at the base of the plant and water it in. Be sure to read the directions and the recommended amount of fertilizer to use based on the size of the plant.
Prune it Up!
Once the early-blooming shrubs are finished blooming, you may prune them. Doing this promotes new growth throughout the growing season. This is also an excellent opportunity to reshape any unruly shrubs. Again, be sure to wait until the plant is completely done blooming.
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