Spring is in full bloom with the heat of summer right behind it.

Here are the top 20 tips for the month.

1. Cultivate planting beds to remove weeds.
2. Mulch planting beds.
3. Cut back and divide early-blooming perennials after flowering.
4. Water as necessary.
5. Set supports for floppy plants, vines and vegetables.
6. Deadhead rhododendrons, lilacs, and perennials once they’ve finished flowering.
7. Check for pests and problems, and treat as they arise.
8. Continue to apply deer and rabbit repellents.
9. Finish planting summer annual flowers.
10. Plant summer bulbs such as cannas, gladiolas and dahlias.
11. Plant caladium and tuberous begonias in shady areas. 
12. Prune any plants with dead, diseased, crossing or weak branches.
13. Prune your early spring-flowering shrubs to control their size.
14. Prune evergreens and evergreen hedges to control their size.
15. Deadhead roses once they’ve finished blooming.
16. Fertilize annual plants and container gardens, every 10 days to 2 weeks, with a water-soluble formula. 
17. Fertilize roses after full bloom.
18. Fertilize vegetable plants.
19. Mow the lawn regularly, and keep blades at a height of 2 ½” to 3 inches. 
20. To keep a lawn growing actively, it needs about one inch of water per week.  Put a rain gauge out in your lawn to make sure.