APRIL CHECKLIST

The garden is calling. It's Spring. It's still a bit chilly at night, but each week gets us closer and closer to solid warm weather. Spring vegetable starts are here and can be planted, but don't come in looking for tomatoes and basil. Wait a little bit.

That said, this is a good time to order your tomatoes. We have a list of the most popular types at the store, and pre-ordering them now is the best way to ensure that you get your favorite variety before it sells out. Yes, varieties sell out every year. And we will be getting in *some* tomatoes, but they should be protected until the evening temps are safely in the mid 50s.

Meanwhile, you'll notice that your grass is now growing. Yes, you can mow.

Here's a checklist:

Around the home

• Perk up wintery-looking pots with spring flowering color. New selections arrive weekly!
• Set out clean nesting material for Mason bees. March is the perfect time to establish a Mason bee habitat. You can set out cocoons when spring temperatures reach 55 and fruit trees start to bloom.
• Plant dahlias, lilies, and summer blooming bulbs.
• Plant starts and seeds of annual flowers for brilliant color all summer long.
• Plant trees and shrubs. Fertilize new plantings as well as established landscape plants.
• Transplant deciduous shrubs before they start leafing out.
• Pull aside mulch from dormant perennials as they push new growth.
• Consider applying blood meal for plants breaking dormancy.
• Bait for slugs and protect plants from deer.
• Start planning for warm season watering.
• Remember, despite the little bursts of warm weather and sunshine, it's not summer. Be prepared to cover your tender plants when the forecast calls for freezes.

Edible gardening

• Plant peas, potatoes, asparagus, onions, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce, kale, spinash, mustards and arugula.
• Tomatoes will be available by mid-month. Plant them when temperatures are at least 50 degrees at night. Cover with a cloche or place a tomato cage around your planted tomato plant and surround with planting cover. Do not cover the top, though, so the plant can breathe and won't get cooked on sunnny days.
• Plant strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and other fruiting plants and trees.

Lawn care

• Temperatures in the mid-50s mark the start of lawn season. Feed, reseed, and apply lime to discourage moss.

Indoor plants

• Now that there's more sunlight, your plants will start growing again. It's okay to fertilize them again.
• Still, make sure that your plants are getting enough light or get a grow light.
• Add some new houseplants. This is not a bad time to give your houseplants some friends.