vegetable gardening ornamental gardening april

Brie's Gardening Ideas for April

Brie Arthur is a Soil³ team member and author of "The Foodscape Revolution" and "Gardening With Grains." With a background in ornamental plant production, Brie is revolutionizing the backyard gardening movement by her work across the US and the globe promoting sustainability and community gardening in urban Foodscapes. Brie's website: https://www.briegrows.com/

April 20, 2021 2 minute read

How on earth is it already the middle of April? Clearly spring is in full gear and I am “running behind” like every other year. Longer days and warmer temperatures lead to so much activity in the garden. So, let’s jump right into the mid-spring to-do list.

Gardening Ideas For April

brie and BigYellowBag-1

Weed: As I have mentioned in the past, this is a task that stays on the list year-round, but it is especially important now to get those cool season weeds out before they go to seed! If you don’t like using chemicals, hand weed, mow, spread mulch and pack your plants in very densely so they outcompete weeds.
Mulch: The ground has finally dried out from the exceptionally wet winter and your gardens will benefit from a light application of mulch. I use triple shredded hardwood because it is easy to work with, looks great, and adds organic matter to the soil as it breaks down. It is also ideal for both ornamental and edible plants making it versatile for my foodscape design.
Sow warm season flowers and veggie seeds: It is not too late! In fact, this is the ideal time to get seeds started OUTSIDE in flats. You can also start them in flats and they will germinate and grow very quickly and be ready to transplant in mid-May when your soil is the perfect temperature (zone 7). Gardeners in zones 8-9 can keep seeding and planting directly in the ground!
Go plant shopping: I have never met a gardener who did not enjoy a good nursery visit, myself included. You may recall I set the goal of “Plant everything that I buy.” So far, I will give myself a B+ on this front, granted I have only gone shopping once! Yes, I do have a few plants stashed in my greenhouse but for the most part I have stuck with it. My strategy is simple: go to the nursery with a specific list in mind that I am ready to plant! It isn’t easy, as I mentioned several times in this video where I visit my favorite local garden center, Big Bloomers Flowers Farm in Sanford, NC.
Order more Soil³ Compost: If you are anything like me Soil³ gets used for everything: seed starting, potting soil, and topdressing the garden and lawn. I simply can’t garden without it, so I need to have a few bags on hand to use through the spring season.
One other reminder to all of you: Sign up for the Soil³ Livestream Garden Show Friday April 23 and Saturday April 24! I am excited to be presenting along with Chris Smith of The Utopian Seed Project for two days of garden seminars! I will be covering two of my favorite topics: spring garden and seed prep and foodscaping with grains!

Learn more and register here: Soil³'s YouTube Live - Spring Vegetable Gardening

Perhaps the most important thing of all, remember to take a step back and enjoy your garden!

If possible, share it with others, as I am on Saturday 8 May during our Spring Open Garden. All are welcome, free admission, and no reservation needed! I will have books, seeds, and plants available for purchase and look forward to seeing my home foodscape filled with people once again!

More information cane be found on my website: Spring Open Garden Tour — Brie Grows

Until next month, happy gardening y’all! Be sure to wear your sunscreen!!