April 18, 2005

April is National Gardening Month. Both Earth Day and Arbor Day are celebrated in April as well. It is the best month for planting fruit trees, ornamental trees and shrubs, strawberry plants, roses, perennials and ground covers.

A record number of customers have come to shop at the Co-op these past few weeks. After the cold wet winter they are looking to get outside and start planting everything. We’ve even had folks looking for tomato and pepper plants. But planting the tender vegetables and flowering annuals will have to wait until next month.

In the meantime plant perennials, trees and shrubs. These plants transplant better in the cool spring establishing roots before the weather turns hot. Spring rains usually provide the necessary 1- 1½-inch of rain for new plantings. Supplement with irrigation during dry spells.

When choosing perennials, shrubs and trees for your landscape remember to select the right plant for the right place. Pay attention to the plant’s cultural requirements. Put the plant in the type of environment it prefers and it will most likely thrive. Consider the soil type, light, drainage, and hardiness. Plants under stress are more likely to succumb to disease or insect attack.

In this area selecting plants with high deer resistance is almost always necessary. Some deer resistant plants are still vulnerable when they are young and tender. Apply a good deer repellant to plants immediately at planting time to discourage the animals from the start.

Adding fertilizer at planting time is not recommended. Most trees and shrubs in nurseries and garden centers have time-release fertilizer in their soil mix. Fertilizer can be applied the following year. It is more important to supply sufficient water for the first two growing seasons.

The summer flowering bulbs can be planted directly in the ground at end of the month when the soil is warmer. Dahlias, cannas, gladiolas and tuberous begonias have striking flowers for the summer garden. And caladiums’ colorful leaves can brighten the shady garden or patio.

Most of the perennial plants in the garden are growing quickly at this time. Many of the taller varieties are more attractive if their blooms are supported. This prevents individual blooms from flopping over after heavy rains or snapping in strong wind. Peonies and delphiniums are just two examples of perennials that can be supported. The trick is to set the supports in place before they get too big. Set peony hoops up now while the shoots are coming up. In a couple of weeks the rings will hardly show through all the foliage. To support individual flower stalks of plants like delphinium, set stakes in place now. Later the flowers can be guided or tied in place.

The roses are past bud break and leafing out. It is a good time to give them their first feeding of the season. Apply a fertilizer such as 5-10-5 or one labeled specifically for roses. They can be fed again when the flower buds form and after the first flush of bloom is finished.

 The average last frost date for our area is May 15^th. The vegetables that only need three weeks of growing indoors can be started inside now. Cucumbers, melons and squash can be started as well as the seeds for several flowers (zinnias, sunflowers). The seeds of these plants can be sown directly in the garden after the frost date, but starting them ahead will give you flowers and fruit sooner.

There is still time to repair grub damage in the lawn. Rake up the dead grass and spread some grass seed over the rough soil. Keep the new seed covered with a light straw mulch to retain moisture. If grubs are visible within an inch or two of the topsoil, then grub control can be applied. If not wait until May or June

Crabgrass preventer can still be applied to the rest of the lawn, avoiding the newly seeded areas. Once the forsythia bushes drop their blossoms it is considered too late to apply the crabgrass preventer.

Lawn weeds are treated when they are in active growth. Dandelions are usually the first to appear starting in April. These can be spot treated with a broadleaf weed killer or dug out by hand. Wait until May to control the other common broadleaved lawn weeds.

Beth Nardone, botanist, is a resident of Hillsborough and is the Nursery Manager at the Belle Mead Co-Op.  Questions and comments can be sent to bethtanical@patmedia.net