Ask A Desert Gardener, April 2025
In April, our gardens have emerged from winter dormancy with new leaves and flowers, as well as observing the first stages of fruit and vegetable developing.
Before planting fruits and/or vegetables, remember to choose a location that receives at least 6-8 hours of daily sunlight to ensure that the buds flower, mature and ripen. Plan before you plant!
Weather in April is very suitable for adding and/transplanting new additions to your garden since outdoor temperatures are mild and the sun is less direct and intense. The moderate temperatures, combined with increased daylight, help the plants to store energy fostering strong root system development the ability to survive the hot summer days ahead. Help this along by aerating your soil so that oxygen reaches the roots and there is good water drainage.
Mid-April is the time for the second application of plant food (following the early March application) containing the required nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium levels needed for plant health. Follow a “growing season regimen” of three treatments prior to the start of the summer. If you have flowering plants, fruits or vegetables, supplement with 3 additional applications of phosphorous in order to have robust flowering, fruits, and vegetables. When growing roses, also apply a solution of Epsom Salt to provide needed magnesium sulfate as well!
Check that your drip emitters are strategically placed and functioning. Set your irrigation schedules to have morning sessions begin at 7AM so that water does not remain on your plants during the hottest time of the day. Droplets magnify the sun’s rays causing leaf and flower burns! Evening irrigation should take place at dusk to prevent surface water from remaining on the ground at night. This will inhibit insect, root rot, and fungus damage.
Help your plants to survive the approaching hot temperatures by applying organic mulch around them rather than rock mulch. This will retain moisture and lower soil temperature.
Only palm trees can be treated with plant food during summer. For all other plantings stop all fertilizing from mid-June until Labor Day to prevent damage to new growth during the hottest time of the year.
Have any questions? Contact me at: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com
Howard Galin is a University of Nevada certified Master Gardener and the Chair of the SCA Garden Club House Call Program