Spring is here, the bees are buzzing, and just as the birds are readying their spring nests, gardeners are eager to prepare their beds for new life. Check out our April Garden checklist for things you can do in the garden this month to ensure a phenomenal growing season full of bountiful crops and beautiful blooms.

Planning. Take inspiration from your dream board, hand sketches or some of these great design ideas and turn your garden dreams into realities! Before heading to the garden center, make sure to jot down any supplies you need, think about companion plant pairings or other seedlings you might want to use.

Visit Your Local Extension Office. Here you can obtain a soil test, learn about native plants and get insight on organic pest control, as well as getting your gardening questions answered by an expert staff. Visit their website here.

Weed Beds and Prune. Pull up weeds before they establish themselves. Prune flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming and cut back overgrown shrubs. This is also a good time to add organic matter to help improve soil conditions.

Plant. The Wilmington area enjoys a mild temperate climate and are in USDA Zone 8, affording us a long growing season. April is a great time to plant begin planting beets, carrots, chard, lettuce, mustard, onion sets, parsnips, peas, potatoes, radish, spinach, and turnip. You can also start sowing sweet corn, cucumbers, summer squash, and bush beans, as well as herbs you want to use. You can also start seeds indoors for okra, pumpkin, cucumber, summer and winter squash, and melons.

Pick Your Perfect Backyard. We look forward to your visit to our unique riverside community, where you can purchase your dream home and plan your perfect garden. Learn how you can be a part of this growing community, and stay up-to-date on the latest happenings in The Bluffs by tuning into our Facebook page!