The weather is changing, flowers are blooming and you can literally smell spring in the air. April is a time of renewal, from Ramadan to Passover to Easter. It's also the time of year when trees begin to bud, sound of chirping birds fills the air, and a film of yellow pollen covers the land. Along with those familiar rites, April also has its share of other holidays and observances such as Spring Break, Autism awareness month, April Fools day (here are 7 pranks you can play on your kids), National Park Week (April 16-24), and Earth Day (April 22) to name a few. There are so many ways to embrace the moment and live in the here and now this month.
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1. Get your hands dirty
It's lawn and garden month! According to the UGA Cooperative extension, it is a good time to plant snap beans, pole beans, lima beans, cantaloupe, sweet corn, eggplant, okra, field peas, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and watermelon. April is also a great time to plant herbs. Here are 10 benefits of gardening with kids.
Visit our local nurseries to find what you need to get that garden growing this summer!
- Kathy's Plants in Locust Grove
- Wilson Bros Gardens in McDonough
You can also join one of our local Garden Clubs or Community Gardens to meet others and learn the tricks of the trade.
- The McDonough Garden Club meets at the Farm Bureau Office at 117 Racetrack Road in McDonough on the second Monday evening at 7:00 p m.
- The RAF Garden Club is a community driven garden club at 4420 Flat Bridge Rd SW in Stockbridge.
- The Healthy Life Community Garden in Griffin welcomes volunteers.
2. Pick Your Own Strawberries
Spring is also a great time to pick your own strawberries! We have two great farms nearby to go pick fresh berries.
- Southern Belle Farms opens April 1 to enjoy berry picking, handmade ice cream, shopping in the market, kids activities and the barnyard.
- Mitcham Farms is open weekends and offers berry picking, a kid's fun zone, market shopping and barnyard fun.
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3. Stroll through the Dogwoods, April 8-10
This year marks the 86th Annual Dogwood Festival at Piedmont Park in Atlanta. The outdoor fine art festival is a sensory extravaganza. Along with artwork of all styles, there is music, food, and children's activities to enjoy. It is the nation's oldest fine arts festival and an Atlanta tradition.
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4. Eat a grilled cheese
Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day is April 12. My kids LOVE the ooey-gooey goodness of grilled cheese sandwiches at Grits. I think this might be a good excuse to take them out to dinner! If you'd rather stay home, check out these recipes for some new twists on the traditional grilled cheese.
 Getty Images via Canva |
5. Observe Passover
Passover begins April 15.Here are eight common questions and interesting facts about Passover.
6. Find the eggs!
Easter is April 17 and marks the date Christians believe Jesus was resurrected. It's also a day kids look forward to a visit from the Easter bunny. Check our Henry County & Area Easter Guide for local egg hunts and events!
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7. Visit a National Park
Celebrate America's treasured parks! National Park Week (April 16-24) is a time to explore amazing places, discover stories of history and culture, volunteer, and explore a national park near you!
Georgia has 15 areas in the National Park Service:
NATIONAL HISTORIC SITES
Andersonville Civil War Prison & Cemetery- Andersonville
Jimmy Carter Museum & Train Depot- Plains
Martin Luther King Center, home & Ebenezer Baptist Church- Atlanta
NATIONAL HERITAGE AREAS
Arabia Mountain- Lithonia
Augusta Canal- Augusta
Gullah Geechee Cultural Center- Sapelo Island and Riceboro
NATIONAL TRAILS
Appalachian Scenic Trail- Dawsonville
Trail of Tears- Echota Center - Calhoun
MONUMENTS
Fort Frederica- St Simon's Island
Fort Pulaski- Savannah
Ocmulgee Burial Mounds- Macon
MILITARY PARKS
Chickamauga & Chattanooga Park- Fort Oglethorpe
Kennesaw Mountain Battlefields- Kennesaw
NATIONAL RECREATION AREAS
NATIONAL SEASHORE
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8. Celebrate the Earth
April 22 is Earth Day. Mark the occasion by taking part in the Clayton County Parks and Recreation Earth Day event on Saturday, April 22 from 5-7 pm at the South Clayton Rec Center. There will be activity stations, inflatables, crafts and refreshments.
If you haven't done your spring cleaning and decluttering, check out these tips. Once you are through, you can donate your extras or get rid of things responsibly.
Thrift Stores - Donation Centers
- Blessings Thrift Store - 18 Depot Street, McDonough
- Christian Woman's Center Thrift Store - 1649 N. Expressway, Griffin
- Goodwill
- 250 Jonesboro Road, McDonough
- 3871 GA-138, Stockbridge
- 1424 N. Expressway, Griffin
- Thrifty Treasures - 536 Macon Street, McDonough
- Salvation Army
- 401 Racetrack Road, McDonough
- 228 N. Expressway, Griffin
- 178 N. Benton Street, Jackson
Recycling
- Hampton Recycling is a locally-owned scrap-metal recycling and processing company in Hampton, just south of Atlanta Motor Speedway.
- Henry County Waste and Recycling is a family-owned business for bsaic trask disposal and buying scrap metal at 1940 Highway 42 in McDonough.
- Work4Eli is a division of Digital Technology Partners with a focus on recycling electronic waste, providing employment to adults with disabilities, and creating a sustainable future for all.371 Gees Mill Business Pkwy Ste 500, Conyers, GA
 Elena Mozhvilo via Unsplash |
9. Look up to the sky
One of the many things I was pleased to notice moving down to McDonough from north Atlanta is how well you can see the stars at night! Did you know April is one of the best months of the year to look up to the skies and watch meteor showers? Watch the Lyrid meteor showers late evening until moonrise April 15-29. The peak is expected around April 22.
If you have kids fascinated by the stars, make sure to catch Fernbank Science Center's LIVE! At-home Planetarium Shows to encourage that interest! The planetarium at the Fernbank Science Center is still closed from COVID but is expected to reopen soon.
