It’s impossible not to love April in Nevada County—the birds are singing, the bees are buzzing, and if you’re anything like me, your hands are permanently covered in soil because it’s officially go time in the garden. Whether you’re a seasoned green thumb or just trying to keep your plants alive one week at a time, now’s the perfect moment to show some love to your plants. More specifically your roses, lilacs, wisteria, dogwoods, and apple trees.
Let’s dig in (literally).
Tips For A Successful Gardening Groove
Weed While You Wander:
Pop out those seedlings before they settle in like they pay rent.
Check That Drip System:
Spring is when leaks love to show up. Save yourself a water bill surprise.
Mulch It Up:
A layer of mulch helps keep soil cool and moisture locked in—and looks nice, too.
Think Fire-Safe:
Trim those ladder fuels and tidy up around the house. Fire season waits for no one.
Roses: Divas That Deserve the Drama
Roses are the high-maintenance beauties of the garden—and honestly, I respect it.
Prune ‘Em Like You Mean It:
If you haven’t already, give those stems a good snip. Cut back dead or spindly branches and shape them up like a botanical hairstylist.
Feed That Fancy:
Sprinkle a balanced fertilizer around the base and give them a drink. A well-fed rose is a happy rose.
Bugs? Not Today:
Aphids love a rose bush as much as we do. Blast them off with water or show them the door with insecticidal soap.
Water Deep, Not Daily:
Roses want a solid drink once or twice a week. Shallow watering just makes them needy.
Lilacs: Sweet Smelling & Low-Maintenance
Lilacs are that one friend who shows up looking amazing and swears they “barely try.”
Wait to Prune:
Don’t touch the shears until after they bloom. Lilacs grow on old wood, so pruning too early means fewer flowers next year (and nobody wants that disappointment).
Chill on the Fertilizer:
These babies don’t need much. A little bone meal in the fall is all it takes to keep those blooms coming.
Water Wisely:
Deep soak every couple of weeks and you’re golden.
Let Them Breathe:
Good air circulation helps avoid powdery mildew. No one wants fuzzy leaves.
Dogwoods: Graceful, Gorgeous, and a Bit Particular
If trees were people, dogwoods would be the classy neighbors with perfectly curated front yards.
Plant Smart:
If you’re planting new ones, pick a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade, and mix in some compost. They like their soil like they like their coffee: rich.
Water Well:
Especially in their first couple years, dogwoods need consistent moisture. Don’t let them dry out too much.
Light Pruning Only:
Snip off dead or damaged branches in early spring or fall. Don’t go all Edward Scissorhands on them mid-season—they’ll never forgive you.
Apple Trees: The Overachievers of the Garden
Apple trees are the MVPs of backyard growing—pretty blossoms, delicious fruit, and a place for kids (and chickens) to hang out under.
Time to Trim:
Early April is perfect for pruning out dead wood or anything hit by mildew. Clear out the inside for good airflow and better fruit.
Feed the Tree:
If you didn’t fertilize in March, do it now. Apples are hungry and will repay you in fruit salad.
Trap the Bugs:
Codling moths are no joke. Set traps now to get ahead of them, and be ready to treat if needed.
Water for the Win:
Regular, deep watering is a must, especially once fruit sets. No one likes a mealy apple.
Wisteria: Beautiful, Bold, and Slightly Extra
Wisteria—the vine that unapologetically turns any structure into a floral chandelier. It’s stunning, it’s dramatic, and if left unchecked, it’ll take over your backyard faster than your toddler takes over your bed at 2 a.m.
Sunshine = Bloom Time:
Wisteria doesn’t do subtle. It wants full sun—six hours or more—if you expect those jaw-dropping blooms. Tuck it into a shady spot, and it’ll pout with leaves and no flowers.
Climbing Champion:
This vine has dreams of world domination. It needs something strong to climb—like a pergola, arbor, or trellis. Avoid letting it grow on your house unless you’re also in the market for surprise siding damage.
Prune Like You Mean It:
Wisteria doesn’t take a hint. You’ve gotta give it a haircut twice a year. In summer, snip those long green vines back to about six inches. Then, in late winter, prune again—back to a few buds. This keeps it blooming beautifully and not turning your yard into a jungle.
Skip Fancy Fertilizer:
Wisteria isn’t needy in the food department. In fact, too much nitrogen means you’ll get all leaf and no flower. If you must feed it, pick something high in phosphorus to nudge those blooms along.
Water lover to Drought Resistant:
In its first year, make sure it stays well-watered. After that? Wisteria is a tough cookie and doesn’t mind a little drought. Just don’t totally ghost it.
Choose Your Variety:
Want less drama? Go with American or Kentucky wisteria. They’re more chill than the Asian varieties and still put on a gorgeous show without trying to eat your entire fence line.
So whether you’re trying to keep your roses from looking like scraggly drama queens or nurturing the next best pie apple, April is your golden window. Get outside, get a little muddy, and give your garden the attention it deserves.
Here’s to green thumbs and gorgeous blooms.
What’s your take? Drop it below!