Mastering the Year-Round Garden April - June

"Springtime is the busiest season on the nursery; our crews are scrambling to plant all of our new liners in the field as well as harvesting all of the trees and shrubs for our spring and summer orders.  Trees dug while dormant transplant much more successfully than those in leaf.  Our crews often work 60 hours/week insuring that these tasks are completed by mid April; we are extremely lucky to have such a dedicated team!” 

– Dan Gregg, Founder, Grelen Nursery

The burst of life that spring brings is a welcome change after months of preparation. At Grelen Nursery, the arrival of April marks the beginning of one of our busiest—and most rewarding—seasons in the garden. This edition of the Grelen Guide provides insight into what to focus on from April through June, whether you're caring for perennials, trees, and shrubs or looking to refresh your containers and planters.

April: Fresh Starts

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April is all about reawakening. As soil temperatures rise, this is a great time to begin planting trees, shrubs, and perennials. It's also a key month for mulching, as it helps retain moisture and suppress weeds before summer heat arrives.

Grelen Tips:

• Plant hardy trees and shrubs now to give them time to establish strong root systems before summer.

• Apply mulch to beds, keeping it a few inches away from the base of plants to prevent rot.

• Continue fertilizing your garden, especially if you didn’t get to it in March.

• Start monitoring for early pests and diseases—early detection makes control much easier.

• Begin regular weeding to stay ahead of fast-growing spring invaders.

• Add new planters to patios and porches to celebrate the start of bloom season! Annuals start to arrive at Grelen mid-April and new varieties arrive weekly thru May. Watch for late frosts and be sure to cover newly planted annuals if necessary. Frosts can occur as late as mid-May.

Grelen starts stocking annuals in mid-late April and receives weekly shipments until late May.

May: Growth Mode

May is when everything starts to take off. You’ll see your perennials popping, shrubs leafing out, and annuals thriving. Now is the time to stay on top of maintenance and start shaping your garden’s look for the season.

Grelen Tips:

• Water deeply and consistently—spring rains help, but new plants especially need extra care (see the watering schedule Grelen Nursery sends to clients)

• Pinch back perennials to encourage fuller growth.

• Deadhead spring bloomers to keep your garden looking tidy and promote new flowers.

• Add warm-season annuals to containers and beds for bright pops of color. Grelen's selection of annuals is abundant and changes weekly during this month.

• It is not too late to plant new shrubs and trees—just be sure to keep them watered as temperatures rise.

Grelen's Peony beds are typically blooming by late May

June: Early Summer Prep

By June, your garden should be vibrant and well on its way to summer splendor. This month is about maintaining momentum—keeping weeds down, monitoring moisture levels, and making sure your plants are thriving.

Grelen Tips:

• Check irrigation systems and adjust watering as needed—longer days and rising temps mean plants will need more hydration.

• Continue mulching where needed, especially in areas that dry out quickly.

• Shape hedges and shrubs with light pruning (avoid pruning spring bloomers until after they flower!).

• Watch for signs of stress or disease and treat early.

• Start planning for late summer and fall plantings—yes, already!

For low maintenance beauty that survives the VA heat, consider planting succulents in your outdoor planters

Enjoy the Season & Plan Ahead

Spring is a season of action, but also of joy. Make time to walk through your garden regularly—observe what’s blooming, what needs attention, and how your landscape evolves. Gardening is a process, and each day brings new beauty.

Prepare to enjoy the beauty of your garden, no matter the season!

RESOURCES:

🌿 Need Large Plant Material? Schedule a visit with Darren, our Plant Manager. Visit The Market at Grelen Plant Page for availability and appointments.

🪴 Need Planters or Garden Accessories? Shop our curated selection on GrelenOnline.com or email leslie@themarketatgrelen.com.

📅 Check Grelen's Calendar for Workshops & Events: From planting demos to pruning classes, spring is packed with opportunities to learn at Grelen.

⛰️ Hike thru Grelen's Trails to enjoy the splendor of Spring: There are 6 miles of beautiful trails that wind thru Grelen's Tree Nursery.

🌼 Explore Virginia Gardens: For inspiration beyond your backyard, visit Virginia is for Lovers to find gardens and parks near you.