April Gardening Checklist for Westchester, New York.

In case you are feeling spring fever, here's some monthly chores to get you outside. A few chores a week isn't overwhelming.

• Weed, weed, weed.  One weed now is worth hours of weeding later.
• Trim roses by a third but not spring flowering roses.
• Trim forsythia bushes after flowering.
• Set out ring supports for plants that will become floppy later in the season.
• Loosen thick mulch around perennials and spread organic compost at the base of established plants that have begun to emerge.
• Clear fountains and ponds of leaves.
• Aerate the lawn and top dress with finely screened compost or worm castings if it has not been done.  Its best to aerate in the fall but if the lawn is highly compacted do it in April.
• Over-seed your lawn.
• Sow carrots beets and other root veggies.
• Transplant evergreens, deciduous trees and shrubs.
• Redesign landscape as needed.
• Start dividing perennials.
• Enjoy warmer days and finally, flowers!

Catherine Wachs is a landscape designer, serving Westchester NY and Southern CT. Her design company is called The Lazy Gardener