April What To Do Now Calendar

Care for houseplants –Clean foliage, water regularly and fertilize. Repot as necessary. For more information on caring for houseplants, go to the Bayer Advanced houseplant page. To feed and protect from insects, use Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Insect Control plus Fertilizer Plant Spikes Plant Spikes – no spraying, no mess. Just push the spikes into the soil for up to eight weeks of nutrition and protection. To control existing insect pests, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Use.

Care for roses –Remove winter protection and finish pruning. As growth begins, feed and protect from insects and disease with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Rose & Flower Care Concentrate. One application applied to the roots lasts up to six weeks.

Control broadleaf weeds –In low-elevation areas, spot-treat broadleaf weeds like dandelions, henbit and chickweed with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Weed Killer for Lawns Concentrate. For easy control of lawn weeds and crabgrass, use Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray. Follow label directions carefully, particularly if you have planted a new lawn.

Control crabgrass –Prevent crabgrass before it starts with pre-emergent herbicide product. Check label for timing in your area.

Control garden weeds –Weeds in garden beds are easiest to control when young. Use an appropriate herbicide, hoe or pull by hand. (Be sure to take care in applying herbicides to prevent spray drift from damaging desirable plants.) To control brushy weeds like poison oak and wild berries or tree stumps, use Bayer Advanced™ Brush Killer Plus Concentrate and Bayer Advanced™ Brush Killer Plus Ready-To-Use.

Control grubs –If you had a serious grub problem last fall but didn't treat your lawn, apply Bayer Advanced™ 24-Hour Grub Killer Plus Granules to kill existing grubs within 24 hours. To control the next generation of grubs, apply Bayer Advanced™ Season-Long Grub Control Granules in May or June. For more on grubs, click here.

Control indoor pests –To control insects like spiders, fleas and ants, Bayer Advanced offers a complete line of home pest solutions, including the brand-new Bayer Advanced™ Home Pest plus Germ* Killer Indoor and Outdoor Insect Killer Ready-To-Spray. It provides up to 12 months of indoor insect protection, plus it reduces 99% of the germs insects may carry. For easier-than-ever control of roaches, use Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Roach Killer Power Pen™ Ready-To-Use. For more information, visit the Bayer Advanced Home Pest Control Web page.

Control lawn weeds –Control weeds with Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Use (not for use on St. Augustine grass, bahia, bentgrass, carpetgrass, centipede grass or dicondra). It kills over 200 broadleaf and grassy weeds. For the fastest and easiest way to control lawn weeds plus crabgrass, use Bayer Advanced™ All-In-One Lawn Weed & Crabgrass Killer Ready-To-Spray. Just hook to your hose and go! To control Bermudagrass weeds in Kentucky bluegrass, perennial ryegrass and fescue lawns – without harming them when used as directed - use Bayer Advanced™ Bermudagrass Control for Lawns Ready-To-Spray. Always follow label directions carefully, particularly if you have planted a new lawn.

Control moss and algae –Cool, moist weather promotes growth of moss and algae on sides of homes, roofs, patios and in lawns. Control with Bayer Advanced™ 2-in-1 Moss and Algae Killer Ready-To-Spray. It kills within hours and protects for months.

Fertilize –Feed woody landscape plants, vegetables and flowers with Bayer Advanced™ Triple Action All Purpose Plant Food Granules.

Fertilize lawns –If you didn't fertilize last fall, feed after the grass begins to green-up.

Plant flowers –As soon as soil can be worked, plant cool-season flowers such as pansies, violas and primrose. Protect from insect pests with Bayer Advanced™ Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer Ready-To-Spray. Sow hardy annuals, perennials and wildflower seeds.

Plant new lawns –In warmer areas, this is a good time to plant Kentucky bluegrass, fescue, rye and bent lawns from seed or sod.

Plant trees and shrubs –As soon as soil can be worked, plant new trees and shrubs, including roses. Protect new plantings from insects with Bayer Advanced™ Tree & Shrub Insect Control Concentrate. Or, to feed and protect, use Bayer Advanced™ 12-Month Tree and Shrub Protect and Feed Concentrate.

Plant vegetables –Plant cool season vegetables, such as lettuce, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower. In southern or low elevation areas where the threat of frost has passed, plant warm season vegetables like tomatoes and squash under floating row covers. Protect vegetables listed on the label from insect pests with Bayer Advanced™ PowerForce® Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate or Bayer Advanced™ Complete Insect Killer for Gardens Dust.

Prepare equipment –If you haven't done so, prepare mowers, trimmers and edgers for the coming season. Sharpen blades, change oil and perform other maintenance according to label instructions.

Prune –Finish pruning deciduous trees, shrubs, vines and other landscape plants.

Rake –After snow melts, rake lawn (with a hard, steel rake) to reduce snow mold and thatch. Raking is also good for removing leaves from lawn which can thin out the turf.

Sow seeds –Start warm-season vegetable and flower seeds for transplanting outdoors after the last frost.

Water lawns –Check irrigation systems. Fix clogs and broken sprinklers. Adjust spray heads. Begin watering if weather warms but only after soil has partially dried. Check with your local water department or cooperative extension service for lawn watering guidelines.