summate a pop of colouring material . Even though spring can be temperamental in the Mountain West , I plant some faggot ( Viola×wittrockianacvs . , annual ) or other nerveless - season yearbook to a fistful of flowerpots to remove the garden and comfort the soul . Another option is to buy some ahead of time - blossom perennial to supply to the garden .
Throw yourself into saltation cleanup . Take vantage of warm weather to cut back all remain grasses and perennial — with a few exception . I wait to cut back butterfly bushes ( Buddleiaspp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) and hyssops ( Agastachespp . and cvs . , Zones 5–9 ) , as a late freeze could be devastating to new growing . Be certain to cut back perennial that may be underwrite spring lightbulb so that you do n’t overleap the show . polish off redundant leave-taking from around the garden , and empty any remaining yearbook from flowerpots and the vegetable garden . you could add the detritus to the compost pile or take it to a landscape recycling center ; I take several pickup - motortruck loads each spring to a local company that turn them into compost .
Prep the fruit and vegetable garden . Remove any remaining one-year works , clumps of theme , last year ’s plant tags , and any other detritus . Add compost , chopped - up leaves , or other soil amendment to the beds , and dig or till this material in . Rake the grunge smooth so that it ’s quick for planting . edit back perennial herbs and raspberry cane , and clean out strawberry beds . Each year , I tot up compost as a topdressing to these field after cleanup is complete .
Plant early - season crops . Begin sowing the seeds of coolheaded - time of year crops such as spinach , peas , and lettuce in the garden . Toward the remnant of the month , begin planting first of Brassica oleracea italica , loot , and cauliflower . Keep an eye on the weather ; snow can cater detachment from the frigidity , but heavy , wet , leaping snows can also click the stems of young seedling , so cover them with buckets or frost cloth if needed . piddle as necessary .
— Michelle Provaznik is executive manager of the Gardens on Spring Creek in Fort Collins , Colorado .
all right Gardening Recommended product
Felco Pruning Shears ( F 9 ) - high-pitched Performance Swiss Made One - hired man unexpended - Handed Garden Pruners
Fine Gardening receives a commission for items purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate ad programs .
Stihl GTA 26 Wood Cutter with AS 2 Battery and Charger AL 1 , Battery Operated
Corona Tools 10 - Inch RazorTOOTH fold see
Get our latest tips , how - to article , and instructional video sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
April Garden To-Do List for the Southern Plains
April Garden To-Do List for the Southwest
April Garden To-Do List for the Northeast
April Garden To-Do List for the Mid-Atlantic
Join Fine Gardening for a free engaging springy webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned flora pathologist as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical manager …
When I spotted a special sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few months ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful colour practice …
When we only prioritise plants we want over plants our landscape needs , each time of year is replete with a never - ending leaning of chores : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amending , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be thrifty when you introduce the backyard of garden designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to touch off on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
Sign up for afree trialand get access code to ALL our regional contentedness , plus the respite of the fellow member - only content subroutine library .
embark on Free Trial
Get complete site access to expert advice , regional message , and more , plus the photographic print mag .
Start your liberal test
Already a member?access
Add some cool-season flowers to your containers and beds now.Photo: Kristin Green
Cut back old growth on everything you held back on last month, with a few holdouts that should wait until May.Photo: Paula Gross
Cut back raspberry canes and other perennial edibles to prepare them for best performance during the growing season.Photo: Jason Jorgensen
Begin to direct-sow some cool-season crops now.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
Rake a layer of compost into your lawn for a boost going into warmer weather.Photo: Michelle Provaznik
