April is National Garden Month: Tips From a Master Gardener

By April 2, 2026News

April is National Garden Month, and we have some tips to share for getting your garden ready. Farmers’ markets are a great place to source your seeds and plant starts, but they can also be useful for troubleshooting your garden questions. Farmers are essentially master gardeners and are out in the field daily. Looking for ideas on how to prevent pests naturally? Check in with a farmer! 

Another great resource is your local Cooperative Extension Service. Many counties in the state have Extension Master Gardener programs that offer training on gardening in New Mexico. Some Master Gardener programs even partner with local farmers’ markets to provide this educational resource to market visitors. See if there is a program offered near you by heading to this list of programs gathered by New Mexico State University. 

Reminder to SNAP-EBT cardholders: plant starts and seeds that will grow into food are Double Up Food Bucks-eligible. Use your Double Up money to start your own home garden and to purchase local produce. Learn more about the Double Up Food Bucks Program further on in this newsletter, or head to the website here. 

Here are the top five tips to keep your garden thriving from a master gardener: 

  1. Start small and build on your success.
  2. Plan for the water year. Understand the drought conditions through the drought monitor.
  3. Keep your soil covered. Mulch, top dressing, and green manure are a New Mexico gardener’s best friend. Unless you are fighting squash bugs, then forego the mulch.
  4. Start with a soil test. You can’t guess the nutrient levels of your soil, getting a baseline soil analysis will give you the best idea of how you can support your soil and plant the appropriate crops for your soil conditions Here is a list of places to have your soil tested. 
  5. Keep a garden journal and take lots of photos over the year. It is easier to forget than it is to remember where you planted what from year to year. Pictures and notes will always come in handy down the road.

Special thanks to Bonnie Hopkins Byers, County Program Director, Adult Agriculture Agent with the San Juan County Extension for passing on these great tips for gardeners. If you’re in her county, feel free to reach out to her. Contact information can be found here.