Late March or early April is the end of the spring planting season; roots need to become established before the summer heat.

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Tasks

• · Watch for powdery mildew on susceptible plants. Rotate the fungicide used since the fungus may develop resistance.
• · If citrus has scale, mites, or thrips, spray with summer-weight horticultural oil or insecticide.
• · Continue to monitor and destroy (or relocate) snails and slugs.

Pruning

• · Deadhead roses to encourage repeat blooming.
• · Prune avocado and citrus only if necessary.

Fertilizing

•  Lightly fertilize container plants.
• · Fertilize acid-loving plants with a product formulated specifically for them.

Planting

• P· Newer varieties of petunia or Calibrachoa called ‘Superbells” are available at most nurseries and garden centers. They have a long bloom time and come in a variety of colors. Look for them.
• · When planting a vegetable garden, choose a sunny spot.
• · Annuals: petunia (Calibrachoa), marigold (Tagetes), black-eyed Susan (Thunbergia alata).
• · Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus.
• · Fruits and vegetables: eggplant, melons, peppers, radish, spinach, squash, plant from seed.
• · Trees, shrubs, vines: honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica), razzleberry (Loropetalum), crab apple (Malus), mock orange (Philadelphus).
• · Perennials: geranium (Pelargonium), Russian sage (Perovskia), sword fern (Polystichum munitum), gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia).

Enjoy now

• · Annuals and perennials: candytuft (Iberis), sweet pea (Lathyrus), statice (Limonium), alyssum (Lobularia), lupine, stock (Matthiola), forget-me-not (Myosotis).
• · Bulbs, corms, tubers: calla (Zantedeschia).
• · Trees, shrubs, vines: magnolia, crab apple, flowering peach, flowering plum, cherry (Prunus), redbud (Cercis).
• · Fruits and vegetables: asparagus, strawberry.

Things to ponder

• · Mulch, mulch, mulch to conserve water and prevent weed germination.
• · Deep water trees during warm weather. Do not allow water to stand against the trunk of a tree.
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