Showers of value

There are deals to be had in April, and then there are the ones to stay away from.

Spring has sprung, and if you’re looking to bag some great seasonal bargains, you’ll want to hop to it to take advantage of the month’s best buys.

The money-saving strategists at Offers.com compiled a What to Buy in April shopping guide listing significant savings opportunities in major shopping categories, including discounts and rewards on items like outdoor living and lawn and garden equipment.

The compulsion to spruce up the yard and create an outdoor oasis is why many of the big players like Lowe's, Home Depot and Ace Hardware will launch their spring Black Friday-like sales in the coming days.

"True to the Black Friday formula of massive store-wide sales, these events feature discounts on practically everything these retailers sell, they're not quite the same as actual Black Friday sales." says Kristen Mcgrath, savings expert with Offers.com. "While real Black Friday features discounts on tech, clothing, toys, gaming consoles and home items, Spring Black Friday sales concentrate more on home goods and outdoor items."

There are several other wise — and timely — buys to spring for as the daffodils begin to sprout (you can see those below), but there are some items you shouldn’t invest in just yet.

What to buy in April Car maintenance deals:

April is National Car Care Month. That means it’s time to show your vehicle some love and care after the long, bitterly cold months of winter. Take advantage of deals on new tires, auto parts, tuneups and more.

Easter clothing and decor sales: The day after Easter will see prices plummet by up to 80 percent on Easter basket items (chocolate bunnies, the baskets themselves and kids’ toys) and Easter crafting materials. You’ll find the best deals at your local grocery store, big-box stores like Target and Walmart, and craft retailers like Michaels.

Energy-efficient appliance deals: Normally, Memorial Day weekend would be prime time to shop home appliances in spring. But with Earth Day on April 22, be on the lookout for retailers lowering prices on energy-efficient models. Best Buy has held Earth Day sales in the past. Amazon is also known to discount items in its Warehouse Deals section (which sells used and refurbished products) in honor of Earth Day. These sales are typically announced a week before the holiday, so stay tuned.

Outdoor improvement and gardening gear sales:

For those ready to get down and dirty, April is also National Lawn and Garden Month. With the weather warming up, retailers know consumers can’t wait to head outside. Lowe's is throwing a massive Springfest event (April 8 to 29) that features sales as well as in-store demos on lawn care, paint and more. Lowe's will be giving out FREE Garden-to- Go kits curbside every Thursday in April (April 8, 15, 22 and 29). Each week offers a different kit, and you can register for your kit on Lowe's.com. Home Depot will likely launch its Spring Black