Show #137 - Late April Lawn Care: Spring Planting, Crabgrass Prevention, and New Plant Hybrids

Late April is one of the busiest and most rewarding times in the garden. Lawn care, spring planting, weed prevention, mulching, and annual color all come together now. This episode focuses on what to do right now in the lawn and landscape, plus the latest hybrid plant improvements that can transform spring and summer color.

This Week’s Must-Do Spring Checklist

This is the moment when nearly every major spring task lines up.

Work on the Lawn Now

Now is the ideal time to:

• seed shady lawns
• improve thin turf areas
• lime if needed
• spray broadleaf weeds
• prevent crabgrass in sunny lawns

For sunny lawns, apply Dimension now for crabgrass and summer weed prevention.

For spring seeding in full sun, use Tenacity instead of Dimension, since Tenacity allows new grass seed to establish while still suppressing weeds.

Existing broadleaf weeds should be treated quickly with Weed Free Zone before they:

• drop seed
• die and leave bare spots
• spread into surrounding turf

If it has been over a year since lime was applied, now is still a great time to correct soil pH.

Final Call for Spring Shrub Care

This is also the last major trimming window for many landscape plants.

Still safe to prune:

• evergreens
• ornamental grasses
• crape myrtle
• spirea
• butterfly bush

These summer bloomers flower on new growth, so heavier pruning can lead to stronger blooming later in the season.

For mums, remember:

pinch tips — do not shear

Pinching encourages branching and fuller fall flowers.

Mulch and Weed Prevention for Beds

Late April is a perfect time to refresh beds.

Recommended steps:

1. feed all plants
2. apply hardwood bark mulch
3. spread Gallery over the top of plants and mulch

Gallery helps prevent up to 150 broadleaf weeds for 6+ months, especially in:

• mulch beds
• lawn edges
• foundation plantings

This is one of the best ways to reduce summer maintenance.

Time to Plant Annuals, Perennials, and Bulbs

This is now prime planting season.

Safe to plant now:

• annuals
• perennials
• shrubs
• trees
• summer bulbs

Great seasonal bulb options include:

• dahlias
• elephant ears
• caladiums

This is one of the best windows for establishing color before summer heat arrives.

Don’t Forget Water Gardens

Water gardens should also be cleaned up now.

Tasks include:

• trim old foliage
• fertilize aquatic plants
• refresh floating plant material

Good seasonal additions include:

• water hyacinths
• anacharis

A Great Time for New Tools

This episode also encourages gardeners to refresh their tools and routines.

Good spring tasks:

• sharpen pruners and mower blades
• lubricate tools
• replace worn equipment
• try a new plant variety

Spring is also the perfect time to experiment in the landscape.

Hybrid Plant Improvements Are Changing Gardening

One of the biggest themes in this show is how dramatically plant breeding has improved performance.

Azaleas That Bloom Twice

Modern azaleas have improved significantly.

Encore Azaleas

Known for blooming twice per year

Bloom-a-thon Azaleas

Recommended as an even stronger performer

Benefits:

• extended bloom cycle
• repeat flowering
• heavy color display

The standout variety mentioned is Double Pink Bloom-a-thon, described as one of the best azaleas available.

New Shrub and Hydrangea Improvements

Other improved plant families include:

• Double Take spirea
• Oregon grape hollies
• modern hydrangea varieties

Tree hydrangeas now offer:

• longer bloom cycles
• pink and red tinting
• more than 100 days of flowers

The Secret to Great Gardening

A major takeaway from this episode:

great gardeners fertilize consistently

Recommended fertilizers include:

• Plant Trust
• Garden Trust
• Start-n-Grow

Important nutrients include:

• nitrogen
• calcium
• magnesium
• iron
• zinc
• copper

High-nitrogen, slow-release feeding remains one of the biggest factors in plant performance.

Better Annuals Than Ever Before

Hybrid improvements in annuals are especially dramatic.

Top examples:

• super petunias
• geraniums
• begonias
• coleus

Today’s petunias bloom all along the branch instead of just at the tip.

This means:

• fuller plants
• heavier bloom density
• stronger summer performance
• bloom persistence into fall

This is one of the biggest annual flower improvements in modern gardening.

Use Tropical Plants for Big Summer Color

A smart strategy for containers and beds is to use tropical plants.

Top choices:

• mandevilla
• hibiscus
• lantana
• dipladenia

These provide bold, reliable summer color.

For containers:

• fertilize first
• mulch after planting
• use a watering wand for easier watering

Adding a moisture-retaining soil amendment under the root ball can significantly reduce watering needs.

Great Shade Perennials and Understory Trees

This episode also highlights improved shade performers.

Top perennial choices:

• helleborus
• bleeding heart
• Virginia bluebells

These work especially well when planted in large drifts for mass color.

Excellent understory trees to plant now include:

• dogwoods
• redbuds
• Japanese maples

Featured Japanese maple varieties include:

• Hanna Matoi
• Red Dragon
• Twombly’s Red Sentinel