April Gardening Tips for the Midwest

When daffodils and hyacinth are finished flowering, clip off the faded blossoms. Allow leaves to naturally turn yellow; as they do so, they're storing food vital to next year's flower show.

Bulb foliage turns yellow, then brown -- and can detract from a pretty spring garden. Disguise this ugly-duckling stage by planting perennials that will unfurl pretty foliage as bulb leaves die. Some of our favorites include fall-flowering sedum, 'Rozanne' geranium, peonies, and daylilies.

Test Garden Tip: Spring containers sparkle when you tuck forced bulbs into outdoor planters. You can buy forced bulbs at supermarkets and home centers. Look for daffodils, tulips, or hyacinths. This is a great way to enjoy tulips in areas where otherwise rodents dig and devour bulbs.

If you want a longer spring show, fill containers with long-blooming cool-season color: spicy-scented flowering stock, pansy, sweet alyssum, or snapdragon.