10 Things To Do In your Garden in April and May

Spring is here! Those first shoots are poking out of the earth, the weather’s getting warmer and gardening conditions are near perfect. From clearing and planting to being creative with your garden, this is the best time to get started.

Here are 10 things to do in your garden in April and May.

1. Clear your garden

Cut back all dead foliage on perennials and ornamental plants to make way for new growth. Clear out broken pieces of pottery and scrub off garden furniture as well as these can hide harmful insects and slugs intent on destroying your garden. Wash your emptied-out containers and let them sundry.

2. Prep your soil

After clearing your garden, replenish your soil by adding compost and soil additives. These feed the beneficial organisms in the soil and makes it nutrient-rich. Here’s a guide on how to renew your garden soil just in time for spring.

3. Plant veggies

Late April and May is the perfect time to get started on a vegetable patch. Root vegetables like carrots, radishes, shallots, and beets, and leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale are common choices to start with.

4. Start healthy herbs and spices

May is the perfect time to start a herb garden. Plants like basil, sage, rosemary and oregano are easy to grow in containers and used to spice food and for home remedies.

Herbs make a wonderful addition to your garden because they have multiple roles as dry arrangements, as decorative items in hanging baskets, and for use in food.

5. Watch out for pests

As the weather heats up, harmful critters start coming out of hibernation. Aphids, mealybugs, caterpillars and other gardeners’ nightmares start to take over untended gardens.

Get ahead of this by being vigilant for pests. You could also add plants that attract beneficial insects and birds to do some pest control for you.

6. Plant a summer flower garden

Bright and colorful flowers that will bloom in summer like marigolds, salvia, zinnias, wax begonias and the polka dot plant. Also, bulbs like dahlia, lily of the valley and snowdrop will add charm to your garden.

7. Top dress container plants with compost

It is very healthy to amend container plant soil because plants extract the nutrient they need from it over time. The way to do this is to remove a few inches of dirt from the container and replace it with compost.

Even if you haven’t started adding plants to your garden, starts amending with compost for rich soil.

8. Put out birdhouses

Birds are a charming addition to every garden. To attract pest controlling birds like bluebirds or hummingbirds, you could learn when these species begin to arrive each spring and put out birdhouses a few weeks before their expected appearance to attract them.

You should also do some research or ask local ornithologists what beneficial birds are in your locality.

9. Set up a compost pit

If you have the space and a little bit of dedication, you can start your own home composting setup.

All it requires is a sizeable hole or a simple compost bin. Throw in anything organic including dead grass, vegetables, leftover food, and paper. Turn the compost a couple of times a month to keep it aerated.

10. Put in a trellis

From simple designs to elaborate ones, a trellis might be the showstopper your garden needs. They serve many functions such as training vining plants to keep them upright, making flowery archways and shady spots, and adding color and elegance to an otherwise plain yard.

What have you been doing in your garden recently?