Preparing Beds, Planting Early Crops, and Waking Up the Garden

April is when the garden truly begins to stir in Kamloops. While nights can still be cool, the soil warms quickly, perennials start to push up, and there’s plenty to do to set the stage for a productive season. It’s a month of gentle momentum — small tasks now make a big difference later, and every bit of cleanup, pruning, and early planting helps the garden shake off winter’s hold.

Clean Up and Refresh Garden Beds

As the soil becomes workable, clear away winter debris, trim back dead foliage, and tidy perennial beds. This helps new growth emerge cleanly and reduces hiding spots for pests.

Cut Back Ornamental Grasses

If you haven’t already done so, early April is the perfect time to cut ornamental grasses down to a few inches above the ground. This encourages fresh, healthy growth without damaging emerging shoots.

Add Compost and Amend Soil

Spread compost or well‑aged manure over your garden beds.

• New beds: mix in 2–3 inches
• Established beds: work in about 1 inch

This boosts soil structure and nutrient levels before planting begins in earnest.

Plant Cool‑Season Vegetables

Once soil temperatures are consistently above 4°C (40°F), you can plant hardy crops such as:

• Peas
• Spinach
• Lettuce
• Kale
• Radishes
• Carrots
• Beets
• Onions

These vegetables thrive in cool weather and benefit from an early start.

Divide Perennials

Many perennials—such as daylilies, hostas (when they are up), and ornamental grasses—can be divided now. This rejuvenates older plants and gives you extras to share or relocate.

Prune Spring‑Flowering Shrubs (After Blooming)

Shrubs like forsythia, lilac, and flowering currant should be pruned after they finish blooming. Pruning too early removes this year’s flowers.

Check Irrigation Systems

Test drip lines, hoses, and sprinklers for leaks or blockages. Early repairs save headaches once the heat arrives.

Start Hardening Off Seedlings

If you’ve started peppers, tomatoes, or other tender plants indoors, begin hardening them off late in the month on mild days. Start with short, sheltered outdoor sessions and increase gradually.

Monitor for Early Pests

Aphids, slugs, and cutworms become active in April. Early detection makes management much easier.