From the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University
Fruit and Nut
Control cedar-apple rust. When the orange jelly galls are visible on juniper (cedar), following a rain, begin treating apple and crabapple trees with a fungicide. (EPP-7319, EPP-7611)
Fire blight bacterial disease can be controlled at this time. Plant disease-resistant varieties to avoid diseases.
Continue spray schedules for disease-prone fruit and pine trees.
Tree and Shrub
Proper watering of newly planted trees and shrubs often means the difference between success and replacement.
Remove any winter-damaged branches or plants that have not begun to grow. Prune spring-flowering plants as soon as they are finished blooming. (HLA-6404, HLA-6409)
Control of powdery mildew disease can be done with early detection and regular treatment. Many new plant cultivars are resistant. (EPP-7617)
Leaf spot diseases can cause the premature death of foliage and reduce plant vigor.
Flowers
Most bedding plants, summer flowering bulbs, and annual flower seeds can be planted after the danger of frost. This happens around mid-April in most of Oklahoma. Hold off mulching these crops until spring rains subside and soil temperatures warm up. Warm-season annuals should not be planted until soil temperatures are in the low to mid-60s.
Harden off transplants outside in partial protection from sun and wind prior to planting.
Let spring-flowering bulb foliage remain as long as possible before removing it.
Landscape – General
Hummingbirds arrive in Oklahoma in early April. Get your feeders ready using 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Do not use red food coloring.
Keep the bird feeder filled during the summer and help control insects at the same time.
Lace bugs, aphids, spider mites, bagworms, etc. can start popping up in the landscape and garden later this month. Keep a close eye on all plants and use mechanical, cultural, and biological control options first.
Be alert for both insect pests and predators. Some pests can be handpicked without using a pesticide. Do not spray if predators such as lady beetles are present. Spray only when there are too few predators to be effective.
Lawn
Warm-season grass lawns can be established beginning late April from sprigs, plugs or sod. (HLA-6419)
Mowing of warm-season lawns can begin now (HLA-6420). Cutting height for Bermuda and zoysia should be 1 to 1½ inches high, and buffalograss 1½ to 3 inches high.
Damage from Spring Dead Spot Disease (SDS) becomes visible in bermudagrass (EPP‑7665). Perform practices that promote grass recovery. Do not spray fungicides at this time for SDS control.
Vegetables
Wait a little longer for it to warm up before planting cucurbit crops and okra.
Plant vegetable crops in successive plantings to ensure a steady supply of produce rather than harvesting all at once.
Cover cucurbit crops with a floating row cover to keep out insect pests. Remove during bloom time.
Watch for cutworm damage and add flea beetle scouting to your list of activities in the vegetable garden.
Download the entire APRIL horticulture tips, courtesy of David Hillock, Consumer Horticulturist
From the Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Division of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Department of Horticulture & Landscape Architecture, Oklahoma State University
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