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In Northern United States and Canada

Plant trees, shrubs and vines that lose their leaves in Winter just as early as possible and surely before they have made much new growth. Roses are included in this group. Evergreens may be planted from the first time in Spring when the ground is in condition to work until their new shoots begin to push out. Do not delay the planting or the lifting, division, and replanting of perennials that you intend to give these attentions to this Spring. Bulbs of Lilies may be planted now.

During the early part of the month check the rock garden carefully and replace any plants that have died. Cultivate the surface soil lightly and add a top-dressing of screened rich soil. Restrain vigorous spreaders from out crowding their neighbors. Lift, divide and replant specimens in need of this treatment. In general, divide Summer and Fall bloomers now, and early Spring-bloomers after blooming or in early Fall.

Practically all annuals can be sown outdoors in April. All vegetables that are fairly hardy, such as Beets, Carrots, Turnips, Radish, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Lettuce and Onions may be sown now. Don’t sow tender kinds, such as Corn, Squash and Beans, until next month. Lift, divide and replant old clumps of Rhubarb. After the middle of the month, when the ground has warmed up, make a first planting of Gladioli outdoors and plant other plantings at about two-week intervals. Set out divisions of Dahlia roots toward the end of the month. Plant seeds of annual herbs, such as Parsley, Basil, Summer Savory, Sweet Marjarum and Borage as soon as the ground is workable. Seeds of Thyme and Sage may be sown at the same time.

Lawn conditioning and renovation needs early attention. Raking to remove debris, top-dressing with a sifted highly organic soil enriched with fertilizer or, if this is not possible, fertilizing with a good lawn fertilizer, reseeding bare spots and rolling when the ground is fairly dry should be “musts” in the Spring program. Only if a test indicates excessive acidity should lime be applied. Apply herbicides to lawns and other areas as recommended by their manufacturers. Use the hoe and cultivator frequently and vigorously to cut down young weeds in beds, borders and in the vegetable garden.

Put into effect carefully worked out spray programs to protect Roses, Lilies, Peonies, Tulips, fruit trees and bushes and other garden plants from expected attacks by disease and insect enemies. In the greenhouse it is easy to increase Dahlias from cuttings now. Pot rooted cuttings of all types of plants that were propagated earlier. Meticulous attention to such routine matters as shading, ventilating, damping down, syringing, watering and fertilizing are of the utmost importance in the greenhouse.

In the South

It is not too late to renovate old lawns or to plant new ones like silk plants. . . Prune early-flowering shrubs, such as Forsythias, Jasmines, Deutzias, Flowering Quinces and Spireas as soon as their flowers have faded. . . . Frost-tender annuals and bedding plants may now be set out as well as tender vegetables, such as Tomatoes. Continue to make succession sowings of vegetables. Mulch Strawberries with straw, Pine needles or other material that will keep the berries clean. . . Sow seeds of heat-resistant annuals outdoors. Here belong Zinnias, Salvias, Petunias, Morning Glories, Sunflowers, Marigolds, Cosmos, Tithonias, Four O’clocks, Castor Beans, Amaranthus and Moonflowers. Keep the flowers picked or the faded flowers removed from early sown annuals.

On the West Coast

Give prompt attention to whatever pruning is needed by early Spring-blooming shrubs just as soon as the flowers fade. In northern sections set out plants of perennials and rock garden subjects. Annuals of all kinds may be sown and planted now. The tenderer kinds must not, of course, be sown or planted until danger of late frosts is over. The same remarks apply to vegetables and silk house plants.

Dahlias planted in April provide a fine showing of bloom later. These handsome flowers need a sunny location. Make successive plantings of Gladioli. Tuberoses and Montbretias. Attend to pinching, staking and cultivating in the flower garden to encourage orderly and satisfactory growth. Keep a keen eye open for the first evidence of pests and diseases.

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In Northern United States and Canada

When severe Winter weather is over and signs of new growth are evident, carefully remove Winter protection from bulbs, Roses, perennials, evergreens and other plants. Complete pruning fruit trees and all ornamental shrubs such as Butterfly Bush, Peegee Hydrangea, Vitex, Rose of Sharon and others that bloom at midsummer and later. Don’t prune Spring-blooming kinds such as Forsythia, Flowering Quince, and Deutzias until they are through blooming.

You may rejuvenate old straggly Lilacs, Rhododendrons and Yews by cutting them to within a foot or so of the ground at this time, following this drastic pruning by fertilizing and mulching’ them, and by being sure to water them generously during dry weather in Summer. Don’t be in too great a hurry to prune bush Roses but do it before their leaf buds expand.

As soon as the ground is dry enough to work, sow Peas, Sweet Peas, Larkspurs, Cornflowers, Poppies and other very hardy annuals. Spade ground when dry enough in preparation for later plantings. Where Winter Rye has been sown as a green manure turn this under. Plant deciduous (leaf-losing) trees and shrubs. If you intend to use dormant sprays, such as sulphur and miscible oil, to control mites, scale insects and certain other pests do so before new growth begins, when the temperature is above 40 degrees and there is no danger of freezing the night following the application.

Sow seeds in the greenhouse, or in a sunny window in a room where the night temperature is 50 to 60 degrees if you have no greenhouse; of almost all kinds of annuals that are to be raised in pots and flats for transplanting outdoors later. Sow indoors also seed of Cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Lettuce, Celery, Tomatoes, Peppers and Eggplants. Start tubers of Cannas, Begonias and Caladiums. Cuttings of Ageratum, Bloodleaf, Coleus, and many other quick-growing plants suitable for Summer beds and for growing in pots, root readily now.

Insert leaf cuttings of African Violets, Snake plants, Rex Begonias, Peperomias, Pick-a-back Plants and KaIanchoes. As the sun becomes more powerful, shade lightly greenhouses in which are grown African Violets, Begonias, Palms, Ferns and other plants that cannot stand strong, direct sun. House plants of kinds that do not thrive in intense light should be moved to east, northwest or north windows or should be shaded lightly from midday sun.

In the South

Start new lawns and renovate old ones. Before sowing seed or planting sprigs or plugs of grass be sure that the soil is fertilized and well cultivated. Mow lawns which were overplanted with Ryegrass regularly with the mower blades set at a height of one inch. Prune Roses before growth is evident and, after new shoots develop, spray or dust at weekly intervals to keep down diseases and pests.

Fertilize Camellias and Azaleas as soon as they are through blooming and mulch the soil around them with compost, rotted manure or peat moss. In the lower South, plant Tuberoses, Dahlias, Cannas, Caladiums, Elephant Ears, Montbretias, Gladioli and Tigridias. In the upper South make the first planting of Gladioli. Active work in the vegetable garden includes sowing many kinds, planting Irish potatoes and frequent surface cultivation to break the crust and encourage growth.

Thin, fertilize and cultivate Fall-sown annuals. Set out young plants of Snapdragons, Verbenas, Petunias, Salvias, Calendulas and Stocks, as soon as weather is agreeable. Make sowings of a wide variety of annuals. This is the last call for lifting, dividing and planting perennials.

On the West Coast

Complete the planting of deciduous shrubs in southern California by the middle of the month, in more northern parts by the end of the month or early in April. Subtropical evergreen trees and shrubs, such as Avocados, Citrus, Guavas, Gardenias, Hibiscus, parlor palm and Camellias, may be planted in southern California during March and early April. Set out new Strawberry plants and always care for parlor palm.

Sow hardier kinds of vegetables and annuals for early crops and to provide successions. In warmer sections set out plants of tender annuals and sow the more tender vegetables. In many areas it is not too late to lift, divide and transplant perennials.

Learning is an unending process so find out more about parlor palm care. Drop by today at http://www.plant-care.com/latest-silk-flower-arrangements.html.