April is one of the busiest months in the garden, and there’s plenty to do. It’s the month where plans start turning into action, as seedlings thrive in the greenhouse and soil beckons for attention outdoors. Today I’m sharing ten things that we can be doing in our April gardens.

Let’s start with what’s happening in our greenhouse. This time of year, it’s a nursery with plant starts galore; everything from beans to cucumbers to tomatoes. Even our tropicals are waking up from their winter hibernation, stretching their leafy arms and preparing to head back outside. Watching everything come to life again is such a rewarding sight.

Before you get too far into planting, let’s talk about one of the most important garden tasks: feeding the soil. Healthy, nutrient-rich soil is the foundation of any thriving garden. Here in north Alabama, where chert rock thrives, amending the soil is an absolute must. It ensures your plants have the nutrients they need to grow strong and produce abundant harvests. We rely on Coast of Maine’s manure or lobster compost to add a powerhouse dose of nutrition to our garden beds. We also mix in some of our own compost, but since that pile is still a work in progress, store-bought options fill in the gaps. To further combat our challenging soil, we add high-quality garden soil like Fox Farms’ Happy Frog and organic topsoils; it’s an investment in our garden’s future. Feeding plants during this crucial stage helps them establish strong roots and sets them up for a season of success.

Out in the garden, Zone 7B gardeners (that’s us) already have some happy veg in the ground. Sugar peas are climbing, crisp lettuces are thriving, and Swiss chard is showing off its colorful stems. Rhubarb, cabbage, and celery are also joining the party. These cool-weather veggies are having their moment before summer takes center stage.

We’ve found that raised beds and containers work best for us. With these, we can better manage soil quality, drainage, and planting space. Raised beds, in particular, offer so many advantages. They warm up faster in the spring, giving plants a head start, and they’re easier to work with since you’re not bending as much to tend to your garden. Plus, they help us keep our crops organized and thriving despite the challenges of rocky, chert-filled soil.

There’s no shortage of other tasks to tackle in April. Now’s the time to mulch around perennials, prune back any shrubs that need attention, and keep an eye on weeds before they get out of hand. You can also start hardening off your greenhouse seedlings to prepare them for the big move outdoors. If you have fruit trees, check on their progress and consider thinning out blossoms if necessary to encourage larger fruit.

And can we talk flowers for a moment? April is putting on quite the show! The muscari are in full bloom, adding pops of purple and blue around our porch. Tulips and hyacinths are gearing up for their time in the spotlight, while peonies are just waking up from their winter snooze. Our roses already have buds! The daffodils and crocus have wrapped up their performance for the season, but I’m letting their foliage die off naturally so the bulbs can recharge for next year’s show.

There’s something about April that makes your heart race with excitement… it’s a fresh start for the garden and a chance to set the stage for summer. Sure, there’s a lot to do, but that just means more dirt therapy and moments to connect with nature. Here’s to making the most of this wonderful, messy, and oh-so-rewarding season!