January Gardening Activities

January is a great time to do your garden tool maintenance–clean, oil and sharpen tools. You may also want to do a soil test in preparation for the growing season.old garden tools huanging on side of barn

  • Fruits–Set out apples, peaches, pears, and grapes, prune dormant trees.
  • Shrubs–Plant shrubs and trees. Spray deciduous shrubs with dormant oil spray to control disease and insects. Choose a day when weather warms.
  • Lawns–Soil test before setting up a fertility program.
  • Roses–Visit nurseries to select varieties and start planting. planted.
  • Annuals and perennials–Plant hardy annuals.
  • Bulbs–Lilies, except Madonna, may be planted. Check stored bulbs and discard rotten ones. Make indoor plantings of amaryllis, callas, and gloxinias.
  • Miscellaneous–Prune winter-damaged limbs. Give houseplants a bath in lukewarm water to remove dust.
  • Vegetable Seed–Plant hardy vegetables, root crops, and tubers in southern-most areas. Plant lettuce, cabbage, and broccoli in cold frames.
  • Vegetable Plants–Set out cabbage plants

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama Gardening Calendar

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April Gardening Activities

April is the time to take a drive and enjoy the azaleas that will be blooming throughout the month. With the wonderful spring weather we are all ready to get outside and work in our flower gardens and get the vegetable gardens started. Just be sure to wait until after the last average frost for your area to set out those summer annuals and tender vegetables.

  • Fruits and Nuts–Start spray program for all fruits. Plant raspberries and blackberries.bright pink azalea
  • Shrubs–Fertilize azaleas and camellias. When new growth is half-completed, spray all shrubs with a fungicide.
  • Roses–Watch for insects and diseases. Remove old flower heads. Plant container-grown plants.
  • Bulbs–Plant gladiolus, fancy-leaved caladiums, milk and wine lilies and ginger and gloriosa lilies.
  • Miscellaneous–On camellias and hollies look for scale insects and spray if necessary. Carefully water newly planted of shrubs and trees.
  • Summer annuals may be set out late this month in central and southern parts of Alabama.
  • Vegetable seed–Plant tender vegetables such as beans, corn, squash, melons and cucumbers.
  • Vegetable plants–Plant tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, sweet potatoes and parsley.

Source: Alabama Cooperative Extension System
Alabama Gardening Calendar