April in Fayette County is the visual definition of spring.

Flowering dogwood trees and azaleas fill gardens, landscapes, parks and woodlands. Everything is a blaze of green and color. Visitors to our county cannot believe the beauty found around Fayette. There are more azaleas, camelias and dogwoods in the South than any place in the world. Gardeners need no further inspiration to get outdoors and start bringing our winter dreams to fruition.

Gardening is fun in April because the weather is ideal, there is plenty to do and there is no lack of motivation. It is also very important to get a lot done before the warmer months of summer. Spring flowers are awesome to behold, but gardeners know that the greatest beauty of spring is in the way that Mother Nature brings the plants and themselves back to life.

The following is a calendar of things to do in the garden during April.

• Plant trees. They have plenty of time to get well established before the heat of summer sets in. Look for container grown trees, many of which will be in full color in many local garden centers. This gives you a good idea of what it would look like in your landscape. Check the tags and the labels on the containers for accurate information regarding their size and width.

When planting, use a general fertilizer like 10-10-10 in the soil, and use plenty of organic matter like humus, manure and Nature's Helper to condition the soil and allow for air, water and fertilizer to reach the roots for maximum growth success.

It is also important to remember to give your trees plenty of water. With the drought conditions we are currently in, it is a good rule of thumb to water weekly at least two to three minutes for every foot of the height of the tree. Also, make sure you water out where the roots are growing and not just up around the trunk.

• Prune and fertilize. Many shrubs and woody ornamentals will also be finishing up their bloom cycle in April, which is a good time to prune and fertilize. Many shrubs will benefit from special azalea, camellia and rhododendron foods which provide acidity and other minerals which evergreens need to help green them up in the spring.

Now is also the time to prune roses. Add some organic matter to the soil and some new mulch around the base of roses. New systemic rose products can provide good protection by being applied to the soil and taken up through the plants root system.

• Inspect. It is a good idea to walk around the garden at least once a week to look for damage or problems to shrubs. Discoloration or sudden changes in the plants color or holes appearing in the leaves or stems are cause for action. Spraying with an insecticide or insecticidal soap can prevent further damage.

• Prepare the soil. The nurseries are brimming with flowering annuals and perennials, but as we found out last weekend there is still a chance of freezing weather. Perennials will not be affected by the cold, but annuals need warm soil and sunlight to truly flourish.

Soil preparation for annuals and perennials is critical as they do not grow in clay soil and need to have well-drained soil to do well. Organics will help achieve the right soil mixture for maximum growth and a slow release fertilizer followed by a water soluble fertilizer will support the growth of the roots systems and blooms.

Annuals need to produce at their maximum during the summer months and a feeding every two weeks will help make that possible. Also, remove spent blooms and pinch off new growth in the beginning to help the plant produce more flowers and enlarge in size.

• Plant vegetables. April is also the single most active vegetable gardening month. First, it is important to have your soil tested. After tilling up your soil, take ten scoops of soil from the area to the County Extension Service in Fayetteville with $5 in cash. They will send your soil to the University of Georgia Horticulture Department. Make sure you note what you want to grow in the areas that you are having tested (for each bag of soil). Within 5-10 days, the results will be back, telling you what the pH level of acidity is in the soil and what amendments you need to add to grow the various vegetables you may wish to plant.

In selecting a site to grow vegetables, make sure that it is an area that gets at least six hours of sunlight a day. Your rows should run north to south so that the sunlight shines evenly over the entire garden area. Dig up your soil at least 12-14 inches deep and add the amendments such as lime, humus and Nature's Helper to prepare the soil for planting. Your warm weather vegetables can be planted once the danger of frost is past and the ground is warm.

Fertilize as you plant with a 10-10-10 or 5-10-15 which will last for abut six weeks. Continue to fertilize every six weeks during the growing season. Fertilizer should be applied at a rate of one pound per 10 feet or row. Watch for insects and disease after planting and be careful about the amount of insecticide used. Mulch the garden area heavily with grass clippings or wheat straw to prevent weeds and conserve moisture.

• Enjoy. By the end of April, the day light hours will be longer and the weather will be much more predictable. Enjoy these days of preparation for the warm months to come. There is time for everything and the beauty of April's weather allows you to savor the moment and to enjoy the beauty of a Fayette County early spring day.

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