Tips and Tasks

April Tips and Tasks

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Butterfly on Milkweed
Black Hill Butterfly Habitat

Plant a butterfly garden – Butterflies add beauty and help pollinate flowering plants. A variety of nectar plants for adult butterflies and host plants (food) for the caterpillars will attract them. Milkweed species is a popular nectar and host plant for the Monarch butterfly.

Lawn mowing season begins in April. The height and how frequently you mow your lawn is very important. Cool season grasses such as tall fescue and bluegrass should be maintained between 3 – 4 inches for most of the growing season and no more than 1/3rd of the leaf blade should be removed at each mowing.

Fungus gnats are small, harmless black flies that hover around, breed in and feed on moist growing media. Be careful not to over-water houseplants. Growing media should be allowed to dry out before watering again.

Fumgus gnat
Adult fungus gnat

“Harden-off” transplants one week prior to transplanting to toughen the plants and ready them for outdoor conditions.

See more April Tips & Tasks on the HGIC website.

March Tips & Tasks

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Grass seedlings

  • Late winter-early spring is considered the second-best time to seed your lawn make repairs, or cover bare areas. The best time is late August through mid-October. Seeding should be completed by late April.
  • Begin to fertilize houseplants again. The increase in natural light will prompt them to grow.
  • This is a good time to repot and divide houseplants. Use lightweight, well-drained soilless potting mixes that contain ingredients such as peat moss, vermiculite, and perlite.
  • Now is a good time to prune roses. Roses typically experience some winter kill. To determine whether or not a branch is alive, simply scrape the bark with a sharp knife and look for green tissue. If it is brown, prune off the cane.

February Tips and Tasks

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Houseplants by window

  • Day length is increasing and the sunlight is more intense. Houseplants will begin to show signs of new growth. It is time to start fertilizing your indoor plants.
  • Leaf yellowing and leaf drop from houseplants can be a result of low light conditions combined with overwatering. Spider mites are another possible cause.
  • Spring bulbs can still be planted if the ground is not frozen. Inspect the bulbs and plant only the solid, healthy ones as bulbs can deteriorate when stored.  They may still bloom this year but will not be as vigorous. Do not cut back the green foliage that emerges, let it die back naturally.
  • Keep garden beds covered with shredded leaves, straw, or bark mulch to minimize the risk of soil erosion and nutrient run-off.
  • The Maryland Lawn Fertilizer Law prohibits anyone from using fertilizer products to melt ice and snow on steps, sidewalks or driveways.

Find more February Tips and Tasks on the HGIC website.