As spring blooms brighten gardens, now is the time for a bit of light care to keep everything healthy. According to Kansas State University horticulture expert Cynthia Domenghini, minimal work in April can help your spring-flowering plants prepare for next year’s growth. Here’s a guide to help gardeners of all ages manage both blooms and weeds this season.
🌸 Caring for Spring Bulbs
Spring-flowering bulbs like tulips and daffodils don’t need much attention right now. But to enjoy beautiful blooms next year, it’s important to let the green leaves stay in place after flowers fade. These leaves help feed the bulbs through photosynthesis, storing energy for future flowers. Avoid cutting them back too early!
🌹 Rose Tips for April
Roses need some attention before their leaf buds fully open—this stage is called “bud break.”
“April is a great time to fertilize and prune roses,” says Domenghini. It’s also the perfect month to plant new rose bushes in your garden. Because different types of roses need different care, Domenghini recommends checking out the Growing Roses guide from K-State for detailed help.
🌼 Planting Easter Lilies
Easter lilies are popular in spring and often come in pots for the holiday. But did you know you can plant them in your garden and enjoy them year after year?
“These bulbs are perennials, meaning they come back,” Domenghini explains. To help them thrive outside, check out the Easter Lily Fact Sheet for planting and care tips.
🌿 Henbit and Chickweed: Weeds or Helpers?
If you see purple patches in your lawn, you’re likely looking at henbit. It may be a weed, but it plays an important role in spring.
“Henbit is one of the first food sources for bees in the spring,” Domenghini says. Chickweed, another winter annual, is also blooming now. These weeds grow in the fall but become more visible in spring. Since it’s hard to control them now, Domenghini recommends using a pre-emergent weed killer in the fall. If they’re too bothersome, hand-pulling is your best bet this time of year. Learn more in the Henbit and Chickweed Fact Sheet.
🌾 Watch Out for Grassy Sandbur
Grassy sandbur is a prickly weed that clings to clothes and pet fur. It spreads quickly in weak lawns.
“To stop sandbur, keep your lawn thick and healthy,” says Domenghini. Mowing properly, watering wisely, and overseeding thin spots can make a big difference. If this weed is a problem, check the Grassy Sandbur Fact Sheet for more solutions.
📝 Weekly Garden Tips
Want more advice like this every week? Domenghini and her team at K-State’s Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources publish a Horticulture Newsletter full of home gardening tips. It’s available online or can be emailed straight to your inbox.
With a few simple steps this spring, your garden can stay bright, healthy, and ready for an even better season next year!
