Here are a few
suggestions for April gardening:
It might be time to get rid of
your lawn before you have to start soaking it with gallons of water
to keep it green during the summer. Do you really want to mow the grass every weekend or pay a gardening service
to perform the task?
Cactus and succulents can go into
the landscape. There are nurseries around town that specialize
in such plants and will have a diversified selection for your landscape.
Time to start sending the smaller
containers on vacation. Small containers dry out too quickly
during the warmer months. You'll spend too much time watering the
containers and root systems can bake in the small containers. Empty the
pots and store them until needed in the fall.
Want almost guaranteed success with tomatoes in the coming months?
Plant cherry tomatoes
which tolerate the summer heat. You'll be munching by the handful. Plant
basil as well and you'll have everything but the fresh mozzarella needed
for an incredible summer salad. Bush beans, summer squash, melons,
eggplant and peppers can be planted. If you don't have room for a
vegetable garden you can try your skill at growing squash, eggplant, herbs
and peppers in large containers. Keep in mind containers dry out quickly
in the warm weather and will need to be monitored closely for watering.
Summers on the
way. Sun tea is a must. Plant
plenty of mint in containers (can be invasive if planted in the
ground) so you'll have it to flavor that pitcher of iced tea you plan on
having available to help quench that thirst from all the April gardening
you plan to do.
Continue to
use your compost and don't
forget to keep adding kitchen and garden waste to make a new batch.
Add mulch to your garden
beds to help hold in moisture and lower soil temperatures.
Summer annuals can start to be
planted in flower beds and large containers. Zinnias are easy to
grow from seed and come in a variety of colors and heights. Vinca, purslane, portulaca and verbena are easy to grow.
Warmer weather
guarantees more insects and local wildlife.
Watch for leaf cutter ants especially on moon lit nights. They'll strip a
small shrub or tree of all their leaves in a single night. A little ant
dust around the base will offer a temporary protection. Rodents, e.g.
packrats, gophers, ground squirrels, and Harris squirrels are looking for
food to feed new family members. Rabbits will be breeding, like rabbits
and you'll need to fence newly planted trees, shrubs and pots if you live
in an area with wildlife. Lizards will be out and about to help cut
down on the insect population.
More and more watering.
Double check that the drip system is working properly. Watch for wilted
plants as well as leaks in the system. Don't over water your containers
and leave standing water in plant dishes that become breeding grounds for mosquitoes.
It's April, get
out and see what other gardeners
are doing. Visit the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Tohono Chul Park,
The Desert Museum or spend a day touring gardens when opened through
annual tours. Check with the local Ag. Extension or the Tucson Botanical
Gardens for dates, cost and other information. Take a camera to record
what you see and give you ideas for your garden.
Walk your garden often.
You'll be amazed what's blooming or putting out new growth in April. Your
garden may have a new surprise for you every day and if you're not there
to witness what's new, then you just might miss it .
