Around the Garden – April, Who Be the Fool?

– By Chris Cohan –

At long last, the weather is warming up. Where do you start in the garden? There is so much to do this month that it can be difficult deciding where to begin.
There are those who plan every detail before doing anything in life. They are the ‘what ifs’. I guess whatever works for each is the answer. But life keeps marching along, while some just keep on planning, thinking and procrastinating. Then there is the dreaded researching on the Internet. News flash, the Internet is like outer space, there is no end to it. Turn off the computer, stop dilly-dallying and step outside.

First, put on a pair of gloves. Who am I to say that, as I never keep my gloves on? Not the smartest thing, but I figure if you are going to do it, do it. And gloves always seem to separate me from what I need to feel or connect with. Ah, the organic electricity that comes from becoming one with the terra firma. Or rose thorn scars, ouch! Fingernails are chipped, cuticles cracked and hands dried. Heck, the days of dreaming of being a hand model are gone. The annual horticultural hazing ritual is done. You may now garden.

This is a good time to transplant. If you wish to move larger material act now before leaves begin to unfurl or flower buds swell. Make sure you prepare the new hole to receive the transplants first. Make the hole bigger all around by one foot. Replace poor soil with enriched soil. Mix in compost from your pile. Fill the hole one-third with water, let drain, repeat. Now place plant and fill hole halfway with soil. Add more water mixed with a root stimulant like SUPERThrive, a vitamin/hormone nutrient additive that promotes new root growth while reducing transplant shock.

Allow to drain, repeat and fill hole with soil. Finish with gently packing soil in hole; create a moat of soil around trunk to retain water. Water again. If the plant needs pruning, do it now. When in doubt, cut it out. Keep soil moist until Flag Day. When is that? To find out, make sure you read this entire column.

You can prune most of your evergreens now. If you have junipers, cypress, hollies, cotoneasters and ubiquitous arborvitae, this is a good time to do it. Wait until after blooms on azaleas, mountain laurel, and andromeda. Rhododendrons respond poorly to pruning. All evergreens will benefit from a light feeding of a high-nitrogen fertilizer.

Once the forsythia is done blooming, mercilessly prune it back.
Spring flowering bulbs are looking wonderful now. This is the time to make a note of where to add more bulbs in the fall. There are summer-blooming bulbs that can be planted soon like lilies, which come in a wide variety of color and height, and some with overwhelming fragrance.

Divide daylilies and other perennials; replant the healthiest parts while creating new planter beds due to the marvel of multiplication.

Fruits and berries do best when planted in sun. They should be planted now. Remove sucker growth from all. Also, remove many older canes from raspberry patch. Thin to five healthy canes per foot of row to allow good air circulation and prevent overcrowding. After fruit trees bloom, consider removing some buds to promote bigger fruit.

Back in the vegetable garden, it is time to add another row of peas. Stay on top of weeds, they are easier to remove and control if you are aggressive early. If you want carrots consider the short stubby varieties, as the soil around here will never produce Bugs Bunny-like long, orange carrots. Oh yes, Flag Day is June 14.