In every month, yet in aught begun,
Read over that month, what avails to be done;
So neither this travail shall seem to be lost,
Nor thou to repent of this trifling cost.
• Add materials used as winter mulch to the compost pile, and turn pile over.
• Apply mulch to evergreens, shrubs and trees to keep down weeds and conserve moisture.
• Avoid spraying fruit trees with insecticide until after the petals have dropped.
• Begin staking tall growing perennials.
• Broad leaf evergreens such as Rhododendrons and Azaleas should be planted in early spring.
• Cut back and repot Hydrangeas that have bloomed in the house, then sink pots in the ground outdoors.
• Cut faded blooms from Daffodils and Tulips to prevent seed formation, but leave the foliage until it browns.
• Clematis and other vines should be retied after pruning.
• Dahlias can be planted now until the middle of June.
• Don't overdo it these busy gardening days, work steadily, but know when to stop.
• Fall blooming plants such as Chrysanthemums, Asters and Japanese Anemones, can now be put in their permanent places.
• Finish planting annuals, vegetables, and shrubs.
• Flowers should be removed from newly planted strawberry plants, to encourage development of runners.
• For bright, fragrant flowers at dusk, plant some moonflower seeds.
• For larger flowers on Peonies, pinch off side buds.
• Get outdoors and enjoy the beautiful spring weather.
• Give Peonies a dose of manure water to help their flowering.
• House plants can be moved outdoors and sunk in the ground, up to the pot brim.
• If bulbs are naturalized in lawn areas, delay mowing until foliage has browned.
• Keep up your weekly spray program for Roses.
• Last call to plant new rose bushes.
• Make manure extract by hanging a gunny bag of fresh manure in a barrel of water.
• Most spring blooming shrubs can now be pruned and shaped.
• Move caladiums to a shady spot.
• Now that the danger of frost is gone, tender bedding plants like Cannas, Geraniums and Begonias can be planted outdoors.
• Open season for slaughtering weeds is upon us, keep hoe and cultivator going.
• Pieces of Poinsettia cut from old plants can be rooted for next years bloom.
• Plant Gladiolus corms now, repeat plantings every 2-3 weeks for extended flowering.
• Prepare beds now for Dahila tubers.
• Prune and repot house Geraniums, make cuttings from any healthy pieces removed.
• Prune Pussy Willow, Forsythia, Quince, Corylopsis and Witch Hazel.
• Regales, Auratums and other spring planted Lilies should be planted now.
• Remove suckers from fruit trees, Lilacs, Maples and Magnolias.
• Salt hay can be tucked under strawberry plants to prevent fruit from being spattered.
• Seeds of tender annuals such as Asters, Cornflowers, Larkspurs, and Shirley poppies can be sown outdoors now.
• Set tomato stakes before putting your plants in the garden.
• Start sowing seeds of perennials in cold frame this month.
• Stem cuttings can be taken from Chrysanthemums and rooted in a sand-peat mixture.
• To ensure berries on hollies, females can be sprayed with hormone spray when flowering.
• The deadline is nearing for planting evergreens, dormant trees and shrubs.