My Garden in April…

Bay-area gardeners share what’s happening in their patch of dirt this month.

Monarch butterfly caterpillar feeding on milkweed plant

I’ll be hoping for monarch caterpillars on my milkweed, and I’ll be planting my purchases from the Master Gardener’s spring plant sale. 

MARY CALVIN | PRESIDENT OF BALDWIN COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

On the Alert
The most important thing I will be doing in my garden in April is SCOUTING. Scouting for insects or insect damage. Scouting for disease. Scouting for fruit formation and ripening of some vegetables. May is the big harvest month for spring vegetable gardens. 

ELMER VICK | BALDWIN COUNTY MASTER GARDNERS

Insect Watch
I may go a bit off of the norm and say that I will be keeping a keen eye out for garden pests. Insect pressure can be a real problem this time of year.

JAMIE ROLLINS | HORTICULTURE SUPERVISOR, CITY OF FAIRHOPE

I will be amending soil and replanting. I’m sure we’ll still be recovering from the cold weather damage.

KAREN CONLEY SKOSKY | GULF SHORES GARDEN CLUB

We are looking forward to growing dwarf vegetable plants this spring to make the most of growing food in small spaces.

MARY TOWNSLEY | MOBILE COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS

Shopping Local
I will be attending local plant sales and visiting my favorite garden centers across the entire Gulf Coast to replenish the plants that were all lost in the great freeze. Oh, what punishment! 

WANDA CHEEK | GULF SHORES GARDEN CLUB

In April, I will be weeding, putting out new mulch and planting containers with new plants. 

SHARON SMITH | VP, GULF SHORES GARDEN CLUB & BALDWIN COUNTY MASTER GARDENER
flowers in a garden

Fill the Gaps
April brings perennials back like old friends. I will see what worked best last year and what I loved the most and do more of it. I will be filling all the empty spaces with colorful annuals so there’s no room left for weeds. I’ll add some pine straw and convince myself that brown is a color, too. I’ll plant what brings me joy and break all the rules.

PAMELA GUTIERREZ | FAIRHOPE GARDENER

Hydrangeas
This spring at Bellingrath Gardens and Home, we are excited to grow and display forced hydrangeas. We are growing an old favorite called “Merritt’s Supreme.” It begins as a light pink bloom that turns into a dark pink. We are also not afraid to try out some new cultivars like “Frisbee Blue,” which has a nice lace-cap bloom and strong well-balanced branching. 

JACKSON EVANS | GREENHOUSE AND NURSERY MANAGER, BELLINGRATH GARDENS AND HOME

Work the Soil
The addition of soil amendments (Black Kow manure and/or Mushroom compost and/or home made compost) in flower beds, pots and baskets for the spring and summer plantings is a must.  Make sure to plant a variety of annuals and perennials that fit the needs of our pollinators.   

LEE WESTON | GROUNDS SUPERINTENDENT AT THE GRAND HOTEL

I’ll be pruning and replacing frostbitten plants and planting annuals.

SHARON VREELAND | GULF COAST GARDEN CLUB

Weed Barrier 
Starting in April it’s just trying to make sure I have my weed barrier in place so I don’t have to pull weeds all summer.

AMBER HOUSTON TINSLEY | MOBILE GARDENER
herbs growing in a crate

As the weather begins to warm up, cold-loving herbs such as cilantro, parsley and dill may begin to fizzle out. April is a great time to plant herbs that thrive in the heat, like basil, oregano, sage, rosemary and thyme.

NICOLE OWLER | GULF COAST HERB SOCIETY

Get the best of Mobile delivered to your inbox

Be the first to know about local events, home tours, restaurant reviews and more!