April marks the start of true gardening season here in Southeast Wisconsin. The snow is gone (we hope!), the soil is warming up, and garden centers are bustling with excitement. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just getting your hands dirty, this month offers the perfect opportunity to prep, plant, and plan for a thriving season ahead.
Here are five essential April gardening tips to help you start strong:
1. Clean Up Your Beds – But Be Gentle with Pollinators
It’s tempting to go full throttle with your spring cleanup, but take a closer look before clearing leaves and stems. Many beneficial insects — especially native bees, butterflies, and ladybugs — are still sheltering in last year’s plant debris.
🧤 Tip: Start cleaning up around emerging perennials, but leave some areas undisturbed until temperatures are consistently above 50°F. This gives pollinators time to safely wake up and move on.
2. Test and Prep Your Soil
Before diving into planting, give your soil some love. A simple soil test can help you understand your garden’s pH and nutrient levels — a crucial step in making sure your plants thrive.
🧪 You can get a test kit from your local extension office or garden center.
🌱 While you wait for results, work in compost or well-rotted manure to add organic matter and improve drainage.
And don’t forget, early spring is the best time to apply a Pre-Emergent Herbicide, especially when adding soil amendments
3. Plant Cold-Hardy Vegetables & Annuals
Mid-to-late April is prime time for sowing cool-season crops like:
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Peas
- Radishes
- Broccoli and cabbage transplants
You can also start setting out cold-hardy annuals like pansies, violas, and snapdragons, which tolerate chilly nights and brighten up early beds and containers.
4. Prune Shrubs the Right Way
April is a great time to prune certain shrubs — but timing is everything. Use this simple rule:
✂️ Prune summer and fall bloomers now (like spirea, hydrangea paniculata, and potentilla)
🌸 Wait to prune spring bloomers (like lilac, forsythia, and weigela) until after they flower, or you risk cutting off this year’s buds.
Bonus Tip: Don’t prune roses too early! Wait until you see new growth beginning.
5. Mulch Smartly to Suppress Weeds and Lock in Moisture
As the soil warms, adding a fresh layer of mulch can:
- Suppress early weeds
- Hold in moisture
- Regulate soil temperature
- Give your beds a clean, finished look
Use 2–3 inches of shredded bark, straw, or leaf mulch, but keep mulch away from the base of plants and tree trunks to prevent rot and pests.
🌼 April is a Month of Momentum
This is the time to get your hands in the soil, take stock of your garden’s layout, and make plans for new plantings. Whether you’re sowing seeds, preparing beds, or simply soaking up sunshine on a garden bench, know that each small step you take now sets the stage for a thriving, beautiful season ahead.
Keep an eye on the forecast, listen to your garden, and don’t hesitate to visit us for expert advice and plant recommendations tailored to our region.
