April:

Acclimate seedlings grown indoors to outdoor temperatures & light levels prior to planting in garden Ann-Marie's Birthday (my best friend since 1st grade) Begin fertilizing houseplants lightly Bridal gowns on sale Check screens (both house and vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears and bent frames. Clean window screens. Lay them flat on a picnic table or a pair of sawhorses and scrub them with a soft bristle brush and a mild detergent solution. Rinse with a garden hose and allow to dry thoroughly Clean attic Color Hair Cruises on sale Daylight Savings Time begins on April 1. Honor the occasion by replacing batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors Divide hosta & other summer & fall-blooming perennials as new growth appears European vacations on sale Folks w/ spring-cleaning fever are donating clothes, furniture, & home goods, making this the best month to reassure-hunt at thrift stores Furniture on sale Inspect garden hoses for leaks. Make temporary repairs with electrical tape. Pry out old washers and replace them. Don't leave hoses connected to outdoor spigots until the danger of frost is completely over Inspect outdoor structures for deterioration – especially signs of rot. Use a small awl to probe posts, railings and window sills for soft spots. If you find any, plan to replace or repair them when the weather turns fair Inspect screens (both house & vent screens to attic or crawl space) for tears & bent frames Paint & wallpaper on sale Pay taxes & make official filings Plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kohlrabi, & certified potato pieces outdoors Pot up stored bulbs & roots for a head start on blooms Prepare for the outdoor cooking season by inspecting gas grills. Remove cooking grills and thoroughly clean them with soapy water and a brush with brass bristles. Remove accumulated grease from lava rocks and ceramic briquettes by turning them over & igniting the burners. Allow 10 minutes on high heat to clean the briquettes. Purchase & plant bare root nursery stock Repot houseplants into a larger container Shampoo rugs & upholstry Snow blowers on sale Spring clothing on sale Start seeds of annual flowers for transplanting outdoors after last frost Start seeds of herbs for transplanting outdoors after last frost Turn mattresses Vacuum cleaners on sale Wash windows, storm windows & screens Yard & Garden supplies on sale