April Garden and Home Maintenance Tips
1. Plant bulbs and tubers for summer blooms.
It's generally safe to plant bulbs such as gladiolus and Tiger Lilies two weeks before the last frost. (Granted, this year it's especially hard to be sure of that date!) Get a head start with dahlias and other more cold-sensitive plants by growing them inside until any frost danger has passed.
2. Replace smoke and CO alarm batteries.
Time flies... do you remember when your smoke and carbon monoxide alarm batteries were last replaced? Experts typically recommend installing new batteries at least once a year.
3. Check foundation and eave vents.
Good ventilation is important for preventing moisture accumulation in your attic and crawl space (if there is one one), but insulation sometimes covers attic vents, while debris from vegetation can block crawl space ventilation.
A yearly check doesn't take long and helps prevent moisture problems in the future.
4. Get houseplants ready for spring.
Houseplants put out new growth when the days grow longer, so now is a good time to pinch back leaves so that foliage thickens. Experts recommend fertilizing with a diluted solution of plant food during the spring.
Tip: Here's a good article from The Garden Helper website about how to grow and care for a houseplant.
5. Clear debris from gutters and downspouts.
Make sure downspouts channel water away from the home via a drainage system or splash blocks. (Downspouts should never deposit water directly next to the foundation.)
6. Clean the dryer vent.
Check to make sure your dryer vent is made of non-corrugated metal rather than Mylar (a shiny material that looks like metal) or plastic. Even straight PVC pipe can create problems because it allows a static charge to build up.
7. Prune some flowering trees and shrubs.
The rule is that some perennials need to be pruned before they flower in the spring, and... some don't. :) Here's a helpful article that explains exactly which plants to prune now versus later in the spring.
8. Tune up any lawn equipment.
The experts at the Realtor.com website say that it's best to run the lawn mower for a few minutes before draining the oil to change it. (Warm oil will drain more easily.)
9. Inspect water supply hoses.
Take a quick look at hoses and fittings for your washer, sinks, and toilets to make sure they're not cracked or loose. Replace any plastic lines with more reliable steel-braided hose.
Tip: This is especially important to do before going away for any extended period of time.
10. Plant pollinator-friendly blooms.
Every gardening website has their own list of flowers, and plant hardiness levels are all over the board. An easier solution can be to simply buy a pre-assembled pollinator seed packet of hardy seeds.
Here are two examples of well-reviewed seed kits for sale on Amazon, one for hummingbirds and one for bees. (Many others are available.)
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