- Shear ornamental grasses and root prune or divide if they have grown too big for their space
- Continue dormant pruning of fruit trees, deciduous shrubs, inkberry, holly, and any overgrown shrub you want to contain
- Prune honeysuckle vines hard as they bloom on new wood
- Reduce girth of yew, privet and arborvitae now as a template for future size before they put out new growth
- Cut back butterfly bush, caryopteris, smoke tree, and Rose of Sharon as these bloom on new wood
- Inspect all shrubs and trees for winter damage and prune out
- Rake off beds that had a layer of leaves for winter protection
- Cut brown stalks of perennials such as sedum or Montauk daisy that were left for winter interest
- Shear back lavender, sage, thyme, epimedium, fern to start plants over for a new season
- Make notes for transplanting and dividing perennials later in April
- Begin to edge beds as the ground dries out
- Spray horticultural oil on Korean spice viburnum to prevent snowball aphid damage
- Direct seed early vegetables such as peas and lettuce when the ground dries out
- Seed indoors other vegetables such as beets, Swiss chard, and peppers
We all look forward to seeing you soon in the garden!
Priscilla and the PBOG Crew