suzieq728
04-08-2004, 06:12 AM
Well it's that time of the year again where we can start our outside gardens. Well, I think it's that time, you never can tell here on the east coast. One day it's 70, the next day theres 2 feet of snow outside :eek: . Ok, that was a bit much, but it's true.
I think though, that it is finally time to start the out door gardens now. Some of us have started our plants indoors, and that has worked well for me this time. I am almost ready to transplant.
Heres a short run down on what to do when your garden is ready for you!
What to Plant -- Plant perennial fruits and vegetables, including strawberries (keep the blossoms pinched off the first year so they develop strong roots), rhubarb, raspberries, asparagus, and other perennial fruits and vegetables now. You can also plant potatoes.
• Strawberries >>
Pruning Roses -- If you haven't already, prune roses once signs of growth are well underway -- the red leaf buds have started to swell and just barely started to unfurl.
• Pruning Roses >>
Prune evergreens any time from now until late summer. (Don't prune later than that or you'll prompt new, tender growth that will get zapped by winter's cold.)
Pruning -- Finish up most pruning this month with the exception of spring-blooming trees and shrubs. You can prune them immediately after they're done flowering.
• Pruning >>
Last Average Frost Date -- In the coldest northern regions, you can still plant cool-season crops, including seeds for radishes, peas, sweet peas, lettuces, and other greens, and seedlings for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages. In warmer regions, the last average frost date is this month. That means gardeners in those regions can go ahead and plant warm-season annuals (tomatoes, peppers, basil, marigolds, petunias, and the like) since all danger of frost has passed.
• Last Average Frost Date >>
Wait to plant seeds for corn, green beans, squash, cucumbers, okra, sweet potatoes and other heat-lovers until the soil has warmed to 60 degrees F. That's warm enough for you to walk on it comfortably barefoot.
Start fertilizing roses, which are heavy feeders. Decide on which plan of attack you want to take. Some gardeners feed every two weeks until August with a liquid fertilizer. However, a lower-maintenance approach is to work a slow-release fertilizer (or compost) in around the shrub according to package directions, usually every 6 weeks or so. Some rose fertilizers include a systemic pesticide, so you can feed and prevent pests at the same time. However, these pesticides also can kill butterflies and beneficial insects, so beware. Consider organic feedings, which would mean working in a spadeful of compost around the base of the plant every month or using a fish emulsion fertilizer.
April is a good time to aerate your lawn. Most lawns should be aerated every two or three years to alleviate compaction and reduce thatch. You'll need to rent a machine that takes out plugs of soil or have a lawn service do it. (As an alternative, fall is also a good time.)
For the greenest, lushest lawn, apply another application of fertilizer to your lawn late this month or early next.
Early this month, if desired, apply a pre-emergent weed killer to beds and borders. It will greatly reduce weeds later on. However, it works by preventing seeds from germinating, so don't apply anywhere you're planting seeds.
Clear out debris and muck from the bottom of the water garden and add it to your compost heap. Start feeding fish again when water temperatures hit 50 degrees F or they're active and eagerly eat the food.
Happy Planting :D
I think though, that it is finally time to start the out door gardens now. Some of us have started our plants indoors, and that has worked well for me this time. I am almost ready to transplant.
Heres a short run down on what to do when your garden is ready for you!
What to Plant -- Plant perennial fruits and vegetables, including strawberries (keep the blossoms pinched off the first year so they develop strong roots), rhubarb, raspberries, asparagus, and other perennial fruits and vegetables now. You can also plant potatoes.
• Strawberries >>
Pruning Roses -- If you haven't already, prune roses once signs of growth are well underway -- the red leaf buds have started to swell and just barely started to unfurl.
• Pruning Roses >>
Prune evergreens any time from now until late summer. (Don't prune later than that or you'll prompt new, tender growth that will get zapped by winter's cold.)
Pruning -- Finish up most pruning this month with the exception of spring-blooming trees and shrubs. You can prune them immediately after they're done flowering.
• Pruning >>
Last Average Frost Date -- In the coldest northern regions, you can still plant cool-season crops, including seeds for radishes, peas, sweet peas, lettuces, and other greens, and seedlings for broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbages. In warmer regions, the last average frost date is this month. That means gardeners in those regions can go ahead and plant warm-season annuals (tomatoes, peppers, basil, marigolds, petunias, and the like) since all danger of frost has passed.
• Last Average Frost Date >>
Wait to plant seeds for corn, green beans, squash, cucumbers, okra, sweet potatoes and other heat-lovers until the soil has warmed to 60 degrees F. That's warm enough for you to walk on it comfortably barefoot.
Start fertilizing roses, which are heavy feeders. Decide on which plan of attack you want to take. Some gardeners feed every two weeks until August with a liquid fertilizer. However, a lower-maintenance approach is to work a slow-release fertilizer (or compost) in around the shrub according to package directions, usually every 6 weeks or so. Some rose fertilizers include a systemic pesticide, so you can feed and prevent pests at the same time. However, these pesticides also can kill butterflies and beneficial insects, so beware. Consider organic feedings, which would mean working in a spadeful of compost around the base of the plant every month or using a fish emulsion fertilizer.
April is a good time to aerate your lawn. Most lawns should be aerated every two or three years to alleviate compaction and reduce thatch. You'll need to rent a machine that takes out plugs of soil or have a lawn service do it. (As an alternative, fall is also a good time.)
For the greenest, lushest lawn, apply another application of fertilizer to your lawn late this month or early next.
Early this month, if desired, apply a pre-emergent weed killer to beds and borders. It will greatly reduce weeds later on. However, it works by preventing seeds from germinating, so don't apply anywhere you're planting seeds.
Clear out debris and muck from the bottom of the water garden and add it to your compost heap. Start feeding fish again when water temperatures hit 50 degrees F or they're active and eagerly eat the food.
Happy Planting :D