April & May Fertilizing Guide: Feed Your Garden the Organic Way 🌿
Spring is here, and your garden is waking up! April and May are key months to give your plants the nutrients they need to grow strong roots, lush foliage, and beautiful blooms. Whether you’re planting new veggies, refreshing your flower beds, or reviving your lawn, Espoma’s line of organic fertilizers offers a gentle, effective way to feed your landscape naturally.
🌼 Flower Beds & Perennials
Start the season strong by feeding your flower beds as soon as the ground is workable. Apply Espoma Flower-tone around established perennials, bulbs, and flowering shrubs to support early growth and big blooms.
How to apply:
Sprinkle Flower-tone around the base of each plant and lightly work into the soil. Water thoroughly.
Tip: For spring bulbs like daffodils and tulips, fertilize after they bloom to help recharge the bulbs for next year.
🍅 Vegetable Gardens
April is prime time for planting cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and broccoli, while May kicks off tomato, pepper, and squash season. Before planting, amend your soil with Espoma Garden-tone, a balanced organic fertilizer specially designed for vegetables.
How to apply:
Mix Garden-tone into the soil at planting time, then reapply monthly throughout the growing season.
Tip: For tomatoes, switch to Espoma Tomato-tone once flowers appear for added calcium and fewer blossom end rot issues.
🌿 Herbs
Whether in the ground or in pots, herbs benefit from a light feeding in early spring. Use Espoma Garden-tone or Plant-tone to support healthy, flavorful growth.
How to apply:
Sprinkle a small amount around the base of each plant and water in. Avoid overfeeding—herbs prefer leaner soil for better flavor.
🌳 Trees & Shrubs
Early spring is a great time to fertilize ornamental and flowering trees, especially if they’re newly planted or showing signs of stress. Use Espoma Tree-tone or Holly-tone (for acid-loving plants like hollies, azaleas, and rhododendrons).
How to apply:
For established plants, apply fertilizer around the drip line (not against the trunk). For new plantings, mix into the backfill soil at planting time.
🌱 Lawns
April is the ideal time to give your lawn its first feeding. Espoma’s Organic Lawn Food is a people-, pet-, and pollinator-safe option that promotes green-up without burning.
How to apply:
Use a broadcast spreader to apply evenly over the lawn. Water in after application if no rain is expected.
Tip: Consider adding Espoma Soil Acidifier to naturally lower pH in lawns with moss or in areas where acid-loving plants grow.
🌸 Container Plants
If you’re refreshing your porch pots or planting new containers, don’t forget to feed them too! Mix Potting Mix with a slow-release fertilizer like Espoma Flower-tone or Plant-tone for long-lasting nutrition.
Bonus tip: Add a pinch of Espoma Bio-tone Starter Plus when transplanting to reduce shock and encourage strong root development.
Let Us Help You Grow!
Need help choosing the right Espoma product for your garden? Stop by D.R. Snell Nursery and let our team match you with the perfect organic fertilizer. We’re here to help your garden thrive all season long!
